Fimbriae(Fim), one of the important pathogenic factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis), plays an important role in the attachment to host cells. Filamentous protrusions on the surface of the cell increase the attachment to the cell and salivary protein, extracellular matrix, eukaryotic cells, and similar other species of bacteria. These protrusions also participate in the formation of biofilms. FimA protein, the main subunit of the fimbriae of P.gingivalis, is not only related to the invasion into epithelial cells and connective tissues in periodontal tissue but also has a certain destructive effect on the alveolar bone. This paper describes the biological characteristics and virulence of P.gingivalis fimbriae.
