Immunohistochemical study of neurochemical markers in gingiva obtained from periodontitis-affected sites.
Immunohistochemical methods have been used to study the occurrence of neuronal markers in human gingiva from periodontitis-affected sites. In periodontitis-affected buccal gingiva densely distributed neurofilament (NF)-immunoreactive (IR) fiber bundles were observed in the deeper parts of the propria, while NF-IR single fibers occurred in the superficial propria and occasionally in the buccal epithelium. Periodontitis-affected gingiva obtained from interproximal sites showed only sparsely distributed NF-IR fibers. Single nerve fibers immuno-reactive to the peptides substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide occurred close to or within the epithelium in both buccal and interproximal gingiva. Around blood vessels neuropeptide Y-, peptide histidine-isoleucine amide- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-IR fibers were occasionally observed, while clusters of gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-IR cells were found in the propria, in addition to gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone IR nerve fibers. Somatostatin-IR dendritic cells were seen in epithelium and propria of buccal and interproximal gingiva, although a high variability in the number of SOM-IR cells was observed. All neuronal markers studied showed a similar distribution in material obtained from young patients with clinically healthy gingivae, although the number of NF-IR fibers in the propria in these subjects was lower. The results demonstrate that in gingiva obtained from periodontitis-affected sites several different biologically active peptides occur in both nerve fibers and cells. At least some of these substances could possible play a role in the inflammatory process. However, since clinically normal gingiva was shown to contain nerve fibers and cells expressing immunoreactivity to the substances studied, no unique periodontitis-induced expression of the neuronal markers studied was found. Thus, any alteration of these substances during the periodontitis process remains to be elucidated.
Luthman
J
J
Friskopp
J
J
Dahllöf
G
G
Ahlström
U
U
Sjöström
L
L
Johansson
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002648:Child; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000032:analysis*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000032:analysis / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000032:analysis*; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D010451:Peptide PHI / Q000032:analysis; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010451:Peptide PHI; D013004:Somatostatin; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide