Immunolocalization of lactoferrin in healthy and inflamed gingival tissues.
BACKGROUND
It has been reported that lactoferrin prevents biofilm formation and exerts antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cellular source of lactoferrin in healthy and inflamed gingiva.


METHODS
Lactoferrin synthesis was examined in relation to disease manifestation in biopsies of the marginal gingiva by immunohistochemistry. The expression of lactoferrin in cell cultures was studied by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Healthy gingiva demonstrated no immunoreactivity to lactoferrin in epithelial and connective tissue cells. In inflamed specimens, lactoferrin staining was related to inflammatory cells. These results were confirmed by cell cultures of keratinocytes that did not show any immunoreactivity against lactoferrin. No mRNA message for lactoferrin was detected by RT-PCR in keratinocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide evidence that lactoferrin is not synthesized in healthy gingival tissues. Therefore, elevated lactoferrin levels in the crevicular fluid of inflamed tissues originate from invading cells of the inflammatory reaction.
Eberhard
Jörg
J
Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Drosos
Zacharias
Z
Tiemann
Markus
M
Jepsen
Søren
S
Schröder
Jens M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000737:chemistry; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*
D007781:Lactoferrin