Direct evidence of collagenolysis in chronic periodontitis.
BACKGROUND
There is no previous evidence that collagenases in chronic periodontitis excessively cleave collagen fibrils.


OBJECTIVE
In this study the eventual presence of neoepitopes produced in such a cleavage were looked for.


METHODS
A polyclonal antibody, which recognizes collagenase-cleaved collagen type I 3/4 carboxy-terminal neoepitope (COL1-3/4C), was used in avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex staining.


RESULTS
In addition, moderate staining was seen in connective tissue bordering to the sulcular and junctional epithelium, surrounding some of the fibroblasts and in some areas infiltrated by inflammatory mononuclear cells. COL1-3/4C staining in chronic periodontitis was more extensive (6.3 +/- 1.2%, n = 10) and intense than that observed in controls (1.6 +/- 0.7%, n = 10, Unpaired Student's t-test, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that collagenases produced by host cells contribute to periodontal tissue destruction and attachment loss.
Ma
Jian
J
Anatomy, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Sorsa
Timo
T
Billinghurst
Clark R
CR
Poole
Robin A
RA
Kitti
Uula
U
Santavirta
Seppo
S
Konttinen
Yrjö T
YT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D024042:Collagen Type I; D004396:Coloring Agents; D000939:Epitopes; D017364:Collagenases