Treponema denticolais closely associated with periodontal disease as a member of subgingival “red complex”.The surface protease chymotrypsin-like protease complex(CTLP) is an important virulent factor ofT. denticola. CTLP plays significant roles in mediating pathogenesis ofT. denticola, including adhesion and invasion to host cells and proteins, synergetic formation of biofilm with other periodontal pathogens, cytopathic effect, impairment and penetration of epithelial barrier, degradation of cell and tissue protein, modulation of host-derived proteinases and disruption of host immune regulation, and displaying multiple pathogenic features. Further study of CTLP will help to explain the pathogenesis of oral leptospira and to enrich the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.
