 The study found that P. gingivalis can cause both periodontitis and atherosclerosis, and that this is partly due to the immune subversion of the oral pathogen, particularly the P. gingivalis, by inducing apoptosis. This process leads to the release of extracellular myr-143-145 from P. gingivalis-infected smooth muscle cells, which then bind to macrophages and block their ability to engulf the bacteria. The study also showed that TLR2 signaling plays a role in this process, as well as the production of myr-143-145. Furthermore, the study developed a novel treatment strategy involving pretreatment of macrophages with P. gingivalis-infected membrane coated with metronidazole and antisyglic G antibody, which could potentially be used to treat both periodontitis and atherosclerosis. This article was authored by Hanyu Xie, Ziyue Qing, Zijiling, and others.