Objective To observe the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) ATCC 33277 infection on expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC).Methods An infection model of rat VSMC invaded by P. gingivalis was established in vitro. The mRNA of ICAM-1 was measured through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results Compared with the control group, an apparent and statistically significant increase in expression of ICAM-1 mRNA was observed after 8, 16, and 24 h in P. gingivals-infected rat VSMC (PConclusion Infection of P. gingivals in rat VSMC can cause increased expres-sion of ICAM-1, which may have an important function in the progression of atherosclerosis.
