title: Neutrophils in periodontal inflammation.
abstract: Neutrophils (also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes) are the most abundant leukocytes whose primary purpose as anti-microbial professional phagocytes is to kill extracellular pathogens. Neutrophils and macrophages are phagocytic cell types that along with other cells effectively link the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response, and help promote inflammatory resolution and tissue healing. Found extensively within the gingival crevice and epithelium, neutrophils are considered the key protective cell type in the periodontal tissues. Histopathology of periodontal lesions indicates that neutrophils form a 'wall' between the junctional epithelium and the pathogen-rich dental plaque which functions as a robust anti-microbial secretory structure and as a unified phagocytic apparatus. However, neutrophil protection is not without cost and is always considered a two-edged sword in that overactivity of neutrophils can cause tissue damage and prolong the extent and severity of inflammatory periodontal diseases. This review will cover the innate and inflammatory functions of neutrophils, and describe the importance and utility of neutrophils to the host response and the integrity of the periodontium in health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Center for Oral Health and Systemic Disease, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. dascot07@louisville.edu
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krauss
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000276:immunology; D023082:Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004487:Edema; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000166:cytology; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*; D059748:Proteolysis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D023082:Defensins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D037521:Virulence Factors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases