Analysis of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-8 and MMP-2) activity in gingival crevicular fluid from children with Down's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
High levels of colonization by periodontopathic bacteria and a high prevalence of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease have been reported in children with Down's syndrome. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are mediators of extracellular matrix degradation and remodelling, and are deeply involved in the course of periodontal disease. To clarify the relationship between Down's syndrome and periodontitis, we investigated levels of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and detection of periodontopathic bacteria from subgingival plaque.


METHODS
Samples of GCF and plaque were isolated from central incisors. Levels of MMPs were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and periodontopathic bacteria were detected by polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Levels of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in Down's syndrome patients were higher than those in healthy control subjects. In the Down's syndrome group, increases in these MMPs were observed in GCF from patients with an oral hygiene index score of < 2 and in GCF from sites that were negative for bleeding on probing. The detection rate of periodontopathic bacteria in Down's syndrome patients was higher than that in the control subjects. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in sites harbouring Porphyromonas gingivalis or Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans were lower than in those without these microorganisms.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest an increase in MMP-2 and MMP-8 in Down's syndrome patients, regardless of whether inflammation of periodontal tissue is present or not.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tokyo Dental College, 1-2-2 Masago, Mihama-ku, Chiba, Japan.
T
T
Yamazaki-Kubota
M
M
Miyamoto
Y
Y
Sano
M
M
Kusumoto
T
T
Yonezu
K
K
Sugita
K
K
Okuda
M
M
Yakushiji
K
K
Ishihara
D000293:Adolescent; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D044883:Campylobacter rectus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000201:enzymology; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology; D005888:Gingival Pocket / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000032:analysis*; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000302:isolation & purification
C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; C488762:MMP8 protein, human; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8