ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>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).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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 (P<0.05). The expression reached its peak at 16 h. Statistically significant differences were observed in the 8 h group and in the other two experimental groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Infection of P. gingivals in rat VSMC can cause increased expression of ICAM-1, which may have an important function in the progression of atherosclerosis.</p>