Citrullination in the periodontium—a possible link between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis

Conclusions PAD and PPAD activities within the periodontium are elevated in RA and non-RA patients with periodontitis. PPAD secreted by P. gingivalis residing in epithelial cells may exert its citrullinating activity in distant regions of the periodontium or even distant tissues. Clinical relevance In periodontitis, the citrullination of proteins/peptides by human and bacterial peptidylarginine deiminases may generate antibodies after breaching immunotolerance in susceptible individuals. (Source: Clinical Oral Investigations)
MedWorm: Dentistry