Effect of periodontitis on cardiovascular manifestations in Marfan syndrome. Critical common role of TGF-β

Int Heart J. 2015;56(2):121-4. doi: 10.1536/ihj.14-247. Epub 2015 Feb 23.

Abstract

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a systemic connective tissue disorder that is caused by mutations in the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin-1. While MFS patients are considered to be at high risk of dental disorders and cardiovascular complications, little causal relationship has been provided to date. It is well known that an elevated level of active TGF-β in the plasma is a major manifestation of MFS. TGF-β is known to play a critical role in the development of cardiovascular diseases and its levels were also elevated in the serum and saliva of periodontitis patients. These findings may suggest an association between periodontitis and the cardiovascular complications of MFS. In this article, we review the influence of periodontitis in MFS patients with cardiovascular complications in order to identify critical therapeutic targets of TGF-β.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Marfan Syndrome / blood*
  • Marfan Syndrome / complications*
  • Periodontitis / blood*
  • Periodontitis / complications*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / blood*

Substances

  • Transforming Growth Factor beta