Fig. 2

Model of epigenetic regulation of TLR2 expression in GECs. Cell responses to P. gingivalis are predominantly mediated by engagement of TLR2. Under physiological conditions, P. gingivalis-induced activation of TLR2 stimulates the production of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides that promote pathogen elimination by the immune system. Chronic exposure to P. gingivalis, through an unknown mechanism, induces increased TLR2 promoter methylation in GECs, which was also observed in cells from a subgroup of periodontitis patients [111]. TLR2 promoter hypermethylation is associated with reduced TLR2 expression and diminished production of inflammatory mediators and antimicrobial peptides normally induced by the pathogen [111]. This figure was created using images from Servier Medical Art (http://smart.servier.com). Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License