title: DNA methylation status of the IL8 gene promoter in aggressive periodontitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies evaluating the methylation status of cytokine genes may have relevance for inflammatory diseases in which the expression of some cytokines is altered, such as periodontitis. This study observes the DNA methylation status in the interleukin-8 (IL8) gene promoter in cells of the oral epithelium of subjects affected by generalized aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and compares it to those of control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Genomic DNA from epithelial oral cells of 37 generalized AgP patients and 37 controls were purified and modified by sodium bisulphite. Modified DNA was submitted by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, electrophoresed on 10% polyacrylamide gels, and stained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects who presented generalized AgP have a higher frequency of hypomethylation of the IL8 gene promoter in oral epithelium cells than that of controls (86.5% in the generalized AgP group versus 62% in the control group; P = 0.016; chi(2) test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A marked hypomethylated status is found in the oral epithelial cells of subjects presenting with generalized AgP, compared to controls, in the promoter region of the IL8 gene. This hypomethylated status may reflect a generalized condition of oral epithelial cells, including gingival epithelium, because gingival epithelial cells were also collected during mouthwash use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Division of Histology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Andia
authors.forename: Naila F P
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Renato C V
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Casarin
authors.forename: Marcio Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Casati
authors.forename: Sergio R P
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Line
authors.forename: Ana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: de Souza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D013447:Sulfites / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D013447:Sulfites; D004247:DNA; C009279:sodium bisulfite