title: Quantitative and functional analysis of CD69+T regulatory lymphocytes in patients with periodontal disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periodontal disease is chronic inflammatory process that affects the attachment structures of the teeth and constitutes a significant cause of tooth loss in adults. Although different bacteria play an important role in the triggering of this condition, the progression and severity of the disease are strongly affected by the host immune response, which is under the control of different immune regulatory mechanisms, including T regulatory (Treg) cells. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and function of CD69+Treg lymphocytes in patients with chronic periodontal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood samples (n = 33) and gingival tissue (n = 9) were obtained from patients with chronic periodontal disease. Blood samples from 25 healthy individuals were also studied. Levels of CD69+Treg lymphocytes in peripheral blood and gingival tissue were determined by six-color multiparametric flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. The immune regulatory function of CD69+Treg cells was tested by an in vitro assay of inhibition of lymphocyte activation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Percentages of CD69+Treg cells were significantly higher in the peripheral blood from patients with active periodontal disease compared to healthy controls, and these percentages inversely correlated with the periodontal attachment loss. Increased numbers of these Treg cells were detected in the gingival tissue from active PD patients compared to their peripheral blood. However, the suppressive function of CD69+Treg cells was significantly diminished in patients with periodontal disease compared to healthy controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that CD69+Treg cells seem to be another important piece in the complex immunopathogenesis of periodontal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, México.
authors.forename: Marlen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitales-Noyola
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Dental Science Program, Faculty of Dentistry, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, México.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Dental Science Program, Faculty of Dentistry, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, México.
authors.forename: Juan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Loyola-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, México.
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baranda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
authors.forename: Perla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niño-Moreno
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, México.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González-Amaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
keywords: CD69; NKG2D; T regulatory cells; periodontal disease