Stimulatory response of neutrophils from periodontitis patients with periodontal pathogens.
OBJECTIVE
Neutrophils play a crucial role in the defense of invading bacteria by releasing biologically active molecules. The response of peripheral blood neutrophils was studied in periodontitis-affected patients and in healthy controls towards stimulation to Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) extracts.


METHODS
Peripheral venous blood was drawn from 23 adult patients with moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis (probing depth >or=5 mm, attachment loss >or=3 mm), and 30 healthy volunteers. Neutrophil response followed by metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion was assayed by zymography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, on both whole blood and purified neutrophils. In addition to periodontal pathogen extracts, known stimulating agents were tested, such as Escherichia coli-lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phytohemagglutinin, and zymosan A.


RESULTS
Neutrophil response, expressed as a secretion ratio under stimulated and non-stimulated conditions, measured in whole blood, showed no differences between periodontitis and healthy controls. Instead, in purified neutrophils from patients, MMP-9 exhibited a significantly higher secretion ratio with LPS and Pg (1.5- to 2-fold), whereas IL-8 showed a larger increase in secretion ratio (3- to 7-fold) in the presence of Pg, Aa, LPS, and zymosan A.


CONCLUSIONS
Peripheral neutrophils of periodontitis-affected patients are more reactive as suggested by their significantly higher response toward periodontal pathogen extracts and other stimulating agents.
Restaíno
C G
CG
Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Chaparro
A
A
Valenzuela
M A
MA
Kettlun
A M
AM
Vernal
R
R
Silva
A
A
Puente
J
J
Jaque
M P
MP
León
R
R
Gamonal
J
J
D000328:Adult; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis
D016209:Interleukin-8; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9