Pro-inflammatory, Th1, Th2, Th17 cytokines and dendritic cells: a cross-sectional study in chronic periodontitis

PLoS One. 2014 Mar 26;9(3):e91636. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091636. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

There are a limited number of studies correlating the different stages of dendritic cells (DC) maturation with cytokines in individuals presented chronic periodontitis (CP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation among the expression of IL-2, IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A with the presence of DC and mild-moderate or advanced CP. Gingival samples were obtained from 24 individuals with CP and six samples of normal mucosa (NM) overlapping third molar for controls of the levels of cytokines. Periodontal examination was performed. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out, revealing CD1a+ immature, Fator XIIIa+ immature, and CD83+ mature DCs. The inflammatory infiltrate was counted, and the cytokines were measured by flow cytometry. Densities of DCs and inflammatory infiltrate, cytokines, subtypes of CP, and clinical periodontal parameters were correlated and compared. IL-6 expression was correlated positively with the increased numbers of CD1a+ immature DCs. Levels of IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17A were increased when compared with NM. The percentage of sites with clinical attachment level (CAL)>3 were positively correlated with densities of inflammatory infiltrate and negatively correlated with densities of immature DCs. IL-6 can contribute to the increase of the immature DCs in the CP. Higher levels of IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17A cytokines were observed in CP. Higher densities of inflammatory infiltrate as well as lower densities of immature DCs can result in a more severe degree of human CP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chronic Periodontitis / metabolism*
  • Chronic Periodontitis / pathology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gingiva / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mucous Membrane / pathology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators

Grants and funding

The authors wish to thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) (309209/2010-2; 472045/2011-3). RA Mesquita, MH de Abreu and FO Costa are researchers funded by CNPq. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript