title: Th2 cytokines efficiently stimulate periostin production in gingival fibroblasts but periostin does not induce an inflammatory response in gingival epithelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to clarify whether gingival fibroblasts produce periostin in response to Th2 cytokines which are elevated in periodontitis lesion and, if so, whether periostin affects the inflammatory response and matrix-protein metabolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human gingival fibroblasts, periodontal ligament cells and the gingival epithelial cell line epi4 were stimulated with interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Periostin expression was analysed by real-time polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. The expression of the IL-4 receptor α-chain was evaluated by immunocytochemistry. The effect of periostin on the production of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of matrix protein-related genes was analysed by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  While IL-4 and IL-13 significantly induced periostin production in gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells, no effect was observed in epi4 cells. No stimulatory effect of TNF-α or P. gingivalis LPS on the production of periostin was observed. The effect of periostin on the production of inflammatory cytokines was weak in gingival fibroblasts; however, little or no effect was observed on periodontal ligament cells or epi4 cells. No significant effect of periostin on the expression of matrix protein-related genes was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that gingival fibroblasts may be a source of periostin in periodontitis lesions but periostin has only a limited role either in the inflammatory response or in matrix-protein metabolism. Thus, the role of periostin in the cellular interaction between epithelial and mesenchymal cells in gingiva may be distinct from that of skin.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Periodontology and Immunology, Division of Oral Science for Health Promotion, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Biological Science, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
authors.forename: Mayuka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Periodontology and Immunology, Division of Oral Science for Health Promotion, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Biological Science, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Periodontology and Immunology, Division of Oral Science for Health Promotion, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Biological Science, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
authors.forename: Sayuri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyauchi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Periodontology and Immunology, Division of Oral Science for Health Promotion, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. Electronic address: kaz@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018793:Interleukin-13; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C512835:POSTN protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4
keywords: Gingival fibroblast; Periodontitis; Periostin; Th2 cytokine