Porphyromonas gingivalis synthesizes several classes of dihydroceramides and at least one of these lipid classes promotes proinflammatory secretory reactions in gingival fibroblasts as well as alters fibroblast morphology in culture. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the dihydroceramide lipids of P. gingivalis are recovered in lipid extracts of subgingival plaque, diseased teeth, and diseased gingival tissue samples.
