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Background— Current data demonstrate that progressive atherosclerosis is associated with activation of the inflammatory process, as evidenced by systemic elevations of molecules such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1. It has been postulated that inflammatory events within an atherogenic lesion are induced by oxidized LDL. Recent evidence suggests that infectious agents, including those that cause periodontal disease, may also play an important role. Studies presented here tested the hypothesis that IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1) signaling plays a crucial role in bacteria- and/or high-fat diet (HFD)–enhanced atherogenesis.

Methods and Results— Ten-week-old ApoE^+/− mice lacking either 1 IL-1R1 allele (ApoE^+/−/IL-1R1^+/−) or 2 IL-1R1 alleles (ApoE^+/−/IL-1R1^−/−) fed either an HFD or regular chow were inoculated intravenously with live Porphyromonas gingivalis (P gingivalis) (10⁷ CFU), an …