Gum Disease Bacterium P. gingivalis Linked to Heart Valve Calcification via IL-1β Pathway
核心洞察
Researchers found Porphyromonas gingivalis (搜索), a bacterium driving gum disease, accumulates in calcified aortic valves and may contribute to calcific aortic valve stenosis (搜索) (CAVS).
Mouse studies revealed that repeated exposure to live P. gingivalis led to valve calcification and aortic stenosis symptoms, while preventive antibiotics reduced these effects.
Genetic deletion of the IL-1β inflammatory pathway significantly reduced valve calcification even in the presence of the bacterium, identifying a potential therapeutic target.
BOSTON — Preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026 has uncovered a potential biological mechanism linking chronic gum disease to calcific aortic valve stenosis (搜索) (CAVS), a common and serious heart valve condition for which no preventive medications currently exist.
The study, led by researchers at Fuwai Hospital (搜索)'s National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing, focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis (搜索) (P. gingivalis), a bacterium known to play a major role in periodontal disease (搜索) by causing gum inflammation and tissue destruction. Previous research has associated P. gingivalis with systemic inflammation and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including arterial plaque buildup and coronary artery disease.
Bacterial Presence in Human Valve Tissue
Researchers analyzed bacterial levels in heart valve tissue collected from patients undergoing valve replacement surgery, comparing calcified aortic valves from individuals with CAVS to valve tissue from patients with other heart valve conditions.
"We were surprised by how much P. gingivalis was present in the calcified aortic valves," said co-lead author Chenyang Li, M.D., a Ph.D. candidate in the department of cardiology at the State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease at Fuwai Hospital (搜索). "Although it was not one of the most abundant bacteria overall, it showed one of the largest differences between valves with CAVS and valves without CAVS. This unexpected finding led us to investigate its potential role in the development of CAVS."
Mouse Experiments Reveal IL-1β Pathway Involvement
To explore the mechanistic connection, the team conducted experiments in mice exposed to either live or heat-inactivated P. gingivalis. The researchers assessed whether the bacteria accumulated in the aortic valve, increased calcium deposits, and produced symptoms consistent with aortic stenosis. Some animals received preventive antibiotics, while others had the IL-1β inflammatory pathway genetically removed.
Repeated exposure to live P. gingivalis resulted in bacterial accumulation in the aortic valves of mice, leading to greater valve calcification and symptoms of aortic stenosis. Preventive antibiotic treatment reduced these effects. The researchers also found that P. gingivalis activated interleukin-1 beta (搜索) (IL-1β), an inflammation-promoting protein produced mainly by immune cells.
In further testing, genetically deleting IL-1β significantly reduced valve calcification and disease symptoms, even when P. gingivalis was present — suggesting that the IL-1β pathway may represent a critical mediator in the disease process.
Clinical Implications and Preventive Potential
According to the American Heart Association, CAVS develops when the aortic valve gradually thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Early stages may be asymptomatic, but as the condition progresses, it can lead to fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure, and in some cases premature death. Valve replacement surgery remains the standard treatment for severe disease.
"There are currently no medications proven to prevent or slow the progression of CAVS. We hope our findings demonstrating the link between periodontal disease (搜索) and CAVS will stimulate further research into new preventive and therapeutic approaches for this condition," Li said.
"The key message is simple: take good care of your oral health," Li added. "Good oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease (搜索) are important for overall health and may also have benefits for cardiovascular health. While it is still too early to recommend specific treatments for preventing CAVS, our findings suggest that periodontal health could be an important piece of the puzzle."
Broader Cardiovascular Health Context
Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention for the American Heart Association, emphasized the growing body of evidence connecting oral and cardiovascular health.
"This study adds to the growing evidence that oral health and heart health are closely connected," Sanchez said. "For many people, regular visits to the dentist are their only connection to the healthcare system. That makes dental professionals important partners in spotting health conditions, including periodontal disease (搜索) early — which can lead to quicker healthcare referrals and results, better health and lives saved."
The American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative supports dental professionals with educational resources about the oral-cardiovascular health connection, including blood pressure screening guidance for dental practices.
Study Limitations and Next Steps
The researchers emphasize that these results are preliminary and have not yet been confirmed in people. The work was presented as a scientific meeting abstract and has not undergone peer review or been published as a full journal paper. To further investigate the possible connection between periodontal disease (搜索) and CAVS, the research team has already launched a clinical study in humans.