Transcriptome and metabolome analysis of osteoblasts identifies disrupted purine metabolism and parathyroid hormone associated pathway induced by P. gingivalis infection

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a major pathogenic bacterium of chronic periodontitis and central player in the onset and subsequent progression of periodontitis, can cause alveolar bone resorption. The osteoblast dysfunction induced by P. gingivalis infection is a crucial pathological process causing bone loss. However, the comprehensive responses of osteoblasts, especially metabolism processes involved in osteoblast dysfunction under P. gingivalis invasion are largely unknown. In the present study, to profile the molecules switched in osteoblast dysfunction caused by P. gingivalis infection, the effect of P. gingivalis invasion on osteoblast differentiation was assessed and investigated through transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches. We found that P. gingivalis infection dramatically impaired osteoblast function. P. gingivalis invasion disrupted homeostasis of phosphorus (Pi)/calcium (Ca²⁺) and induced robust oxidative stress, cell apoptosis and massive activation of inflammatory response in osteoblasts. Notably, the exposure to P. gingivalis induced the inactivation of endocrines pathways, involved in bone formation, which is characterized by downregulated genes and less accumulated metabolites in “Parathyroid hormone synthesis, secretion and action”, its downstream “Wnt signaling pathway” and related Pi/Ca²⁺ transport. Furthermore, we found that disrupted purine metabolism produced less ATP in P. gingivalis-infected osteoblasts and the reduced ATP may directly inhibit phosphorus transport. Collectively, these results provide a new insight into the molecular changes in P. gingivalis-infected osteoblasts in a comprehensive way.