Fusobacterium nucleatum Accelerates Atherosclerosis via Macrophage-Driven Aberrant Proinflammatory Response and Lipid Metabolism
Jieyu Zhou, Lin Liu, Peiyao Wu, Леи Жао, Yafei Wu
Abstract
Graphical Abstract Schematic diagram depicting the process of F. nucleatum inducing atherosclerosis. As one of the oral commensal bacteria, F. nucleatum is abundant in periodontitis sites and can enter blood circulation through damaged periodontal tissue. Subsequently, there is an increase in risk factors (dyslipidemia and inflammatory mediators) in the blood circulation. In addition, it has high invasiveness and can invade into the vascular intima, promoting macrophages M1 polarization, aberrant lipid metabolism, and cell apoptosis, thereby increasing the release of inflammatory mediators, and the degradation of extracellular matrix in the atherosclerotic plaque microenvironment. By then, plaques are prone to rupture.