title: Evaluation of mRNA expression of the transcription factors of Th1 and Th2 subsets (T-bet and GATA-3) in periodontal health and disease - A pilot study in south Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Based on their respective pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles, the Th1/Th2 paradigm explains pathogenic mechanisms involved in periodontal disease. Establishment of Th1 and Th2 subsets from a naive T-cell precursor depends on transcriptional regulation. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of master transcription factor regulators T-bet and GATA-3, respectively, to indicate the predominance of Th1 and Th2 subsets in the presence and absence of periodontal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A gingival tissue biopsy sample was obtained from each of 10 severe periodontitis patients (>5 mm attachment loss) and 10 periodontally healthy patients (no attachment loss). Biopsies were immediately processed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and the difference in mRNA expression of T-bet and GATA-3 was assessed for each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mRNA expression of T-bet was marginally increased about 1.31-fold in disease, while the GATA-3 levels showed a significant decrease of 4.39-fold in disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The advanced periodontal lesions lack Th2 cells, which produce anti-inflammatory cytokines. The biopsies were therefore dominated by Th1 cells, which activate macrophages and osteoclasts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nichenametla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Ragas Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kurumathur Vasudevan
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Arun
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Ragas Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Tirumelveli Saravanan Subbu
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Kondareddy Krishna Mohan
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Ragas Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Swarna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alamelu
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Meghana Dental College, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Bhimavarapu Ravinder
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Reddy
keywords: Th1 cells; Th2 cells; periodontitis; real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction