Abstract
Aggregatibacter actimycetemcomitans produces several virulence factors involved in the colonization of the oral cavity, destruction and inhibition of regeneration of the periodontal tissues and evasion of host defense mechanisms. Bacterial adhesin is a medium for bacteria to invade the host. Ligand interaction as a signaling mediator determines bacterial adhesin, so this adhesin will influence the invasion process of the bacteria. The adhesin will increase pro and anti-inflammatory mediators due to the influence of the receptors of innate immune response. This research purposed to analyze the ability of adhesin protein from A. actinomycetemcomitan that alveolar bone destruction. Thus, the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts as well as osteocalcin expression can be used as damage marker on Wistar rat alveolar bone. The research was conducted through several processes. First, the adhesin of A. actinomycetemcomitan with a molecular weight (MW) of 24 kDa was induced to Wistar rats. Next, to determine the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts performed, hematoxylin eosin staining is conducted. Meanwhile, to determine osteocalcin expression performed, immunohistochemical techniques was used. This research shows the decreasing of the number of osteoblasts and increasing of the number of osteoclasts in the treatment groups induced by adhesin proteins, A. actinomycetemcomitans + adhesin protein, and A.actinomycetemcomitan compared those in the control group. It also shows the increasing of osteocalcin expressions on the alveolar bone of Wistar rats in the groups induced by adhesin proteins, A. actinomycetemcomitans + adhesin protein, and A. actinomycetemcomitans than those in the control group. It can be concluded that the adhesin protein of A. actinomycetemcomitans plays an important role in the destruction of alveolar bone through the reduction of the number of osteoblasts, the increasing of osteoclasts and osteocalcin expression in aggressive periodontitis. Keywords: Adhesin, A. actinomycetemcomitans, osteoblast, osteoclast, osteocalcin expression