Polybacterial-infection induced bacterial-specific humoral immune response and alveolar bone resorption.

<p>(A). Serum IgG antibody response to the four bacteria used in periodontal infection at 12 and 24 weeks. (B). Serum IgM antibody response to the four bacteria used in periodontal infection at 12 and 24 weeks. Representative left maxilla lingual view of polybacterial-infected and sham-infected mice at both 12- and 24 weeks with area of bone resorption outlined from alveolar bone crest to cementoenamel junction. (C). Total alveolar bone resorption is significantly greater than controls at 24 weeks of polybacterial infection. (D). Representative left maxilla lingual view of polybacterial-infected and sham-infected mice at both 12- and 24 weeks with area of bone resorption outlined from alveolar bone crest to cementoenamel junction. Poly—polybacterial infection, Con—sham-infected control, <i>Pg/Td/Tf/Fn</i>–polybacterial infection <i>Pg</i>–<i>P</i>. <i>gingivalis</i>, <i>Td</i>–<i>T</i>. <i>denticola</i>, <i>Tf</i>–<i>T</i>. <i>forsythia</i>, <i>Fn</i>–<i>F</i>. <i>nucleatum</i>. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.