Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum synergistically strengthen the effect of promoting oral squamous cell carcinoma progression.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of action of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) individually and synergistically on Cal-27 cells through transcriptome analyses to evaluate the mechanism evidence of periodontal pathogen involvement in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Cal-27 cells were treated with P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum individually or in combination. Cell proliferation was assessed via CCK-8 assay and EdU staining, while migration was evaluated using scratch assays. Transcriptomic sequencing analyzed molecular mechanisms underlying single and co-infections.

RESULTS

Synergistic treatment with P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum significantly enhanced Cal-27 cell proliferation and migration compared to either pathogen alone. Transcriptomics revealed that co-infection accelerated tumor cell cycle progression and amplified pro-inflammatory pathways, indicating stronger pro-tumorigenic effects.

CONCLUSION

This study clarifies the cooperative tumor-promoting role of multiple bacterial species, providing potential therapeutic targets for oral squamous cell carcinoma in bacterial infection contexts and highlighting the importance of controlling oral microbiota.