title: Epigenetic characteristics in inflammatory candidate genes in aggressive periodontitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease triggered by the host immune response. Epigenetic modifications also affect the immune response. We assessed CpG methylation in 22 inflammatory candidate genes (ATF2, CCL25, CXCL14, CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL6, FADD, GATA3, IL10RA, IL12A, IL12B, IL13, IL13RA1, IL15, IL17C, IL17RA, IL4R, IL6R, IL6ST, IL7, INHA, and TYK2) with respect to the occurrence of aggressive periodontitis (AgP).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study 15 AgP patients (53.3% males, 41.4±10.5 years) and 10 controls (40.0% males, 36.9±17.5 years) were included. The methylation patterns of gingival biopsies were quantified using EpiTect® Methyl Signature PCR Array Human Inflammatory Response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In gingival biopsies taken from patients with AgP, CpG methylation of CCL25 (1.73% vs. 2.59%, p=0.015) and IL17C (6.89% vs. 19.27%, p=0.002) was significantly reduced as compared with periodontally healthy tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed for the first time a differential methylation pattern for CCL25 and IL17C in periodontitis. CCL25 plays an important role in T-cell development, whereas IL17C regulates innate epithelial immune responses. The decrease in CpG methylation is presumably accompanied by an increase in gene expression. This could lead to a greater availability of CCL25 and interleukin 17C and support periodontal loss of attachment.
authors.affiliation: University School of Dental Medicine, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. Electronic address: susanne.schulz@medizin.uni-halle.de.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Uta Dorothee
authors.initials: UD
authors.lastname: Immel
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Just
authors.affiliation: University School of Dental Medicine, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Günter
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics and Medical Biology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gläser
authors.affiliation: University School of Dental Medicine, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reichert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000235:genetics*; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C108074:CCL25 protein, human; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D020381:Interleukin-17
keywords: Chemokine; CpG methylation; Cytokine; Epigenetics; Periodontal inflammation