['Collagen phagocytosis by fibroblasts is involved in the intracellular pathway related to collagen breakdown in soft connective tissues. The possible role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in regulating this fibroblast function has not been elucidated so we investigated the effect of LPS from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, a periodontopathic bacterium, on collagen phagocytic activity in human gingival fibroblasts and associated regulatory mechanisms.', 'LPS pretreatment stimulated binding of collagen-coated beads to cells and, subsequently, their internalization.', 'The LPS-activated collagen phagocytic process was enhanced in the presence of the soluble form of CD14 (sCD14) or LPS-binding protein (LBP), while the LPS/LBP treatment activated Akt and induced actin reorganization. Furthermore, these LPS/LBP-induced effects were partially suppressed by adding phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitors.'] Does actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide stimulate collagen phagocytosis by human gingival fibroblasts?