The 16th Broegelmann Lecture

Jan Potempa

Periodontitis, arguably the most prevalent disease of the human kind is an infection-driven chronic inflammation of tissues supporting teeth. Although circa 600 different bacterial species were found in the microbial biofilm on the tooth surface only a handful of them is considered to be pathogenic. These include a trio of Gram-negative species, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola referred to as the red complex. Together with P. intermedia they are recognized major etiologic factors of chronic periodontitis in susceptible hosts.

The common feature of these periodontal pathogens is secretion of proteolytic enzymes, which can potentially degrade all components of the bone and connective tissue. However, instead using this powerful proteolytic activity as a blunt tool to damage tissue, get nutrients and thrive, periodontal pathogens are plying these weapons in a highly sophisticated manner.

The collateral damage of the futile immune response is manifested by the destruction of tissues supporting teeth, including alveolar bone resorption, and ultimately leading to tooth loss.

In this lecture several sophisticated virulence strategies using proteases enzymes in the intelligent warfare to undermine host antibacterial defenses and thrive amidst inflammation potentially deadly for bacteria will be presented.

The invited speaker for the 16th Broegelmann lecture, professor Jan Potempa, recently earned the very prestigious award “Foundation for Polish Science Prize” for his research in periodontitis and the characterization of the new family of bacterial proteases and their role in the development of periodontal disease.

Potempa conducts his research at the Jagiellonian University in Poland as well as at the University of Louisville, US and received an honorary doctorate in 2012 at the university of Lund in Sweden.

Click here for more information about the lecture.