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Background Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and fractalkine are chemokines that are expressed by a variety of cell types to regulate macrophage inflammatory response. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on their serum and salivary concentrations. Methods Adults with either periodontitis (P, n = 21), or with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 23), or with both diseases (RA+P, n = 23) were included in the study. Systemically and periodontally healthy individuals (n = 22) served as controls. Saliva and serum samples were collected from all participants before the medical and periodontal examinations. Salivary and serum MCP‐1, MIF, and fractalkine concentrations were measured by the Luminex technique. Total salivary protein levels were determined by the Bradford assay. Results Salivary MCP‐1, MIF, and fractalkine concentrations were elevated in both RA groups (RA+P and RA) in comparison with systemically healthy controls. As related to total salivary protein levels, higher MCP‐1 (P = 0.003) and fractalkine (P = 0.045) concentrations were found in controls compared with the P group. In serum, MCP‐1 concentrations in the RA+P group were higher (P = 0.003) than those of group P. Elevated serum fractalkine concentrations were observed in both periodontitis groups (RA+P, P = 0.014; and P, P = 0.013) compared with controls. Conclusions In RA, MCP‐1, MIF, and fractalkine concentrations are elevated in saliva. These chemokines may disrupt oral macrophage responses and potentially take part in the interaction between periodontitis and RA.

In the pathogenesis of periodontitis, an infection-induced inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting tissues, there is a complex interaction between the subgingival microbiota and host tissues. A periodontal diagnostic tool for detecting the initiation and progression of the disease, monitoring the response to therapy, or measuring the degree of susceptibility to future disease progression has been of interest for a long time. The value of various enzymes, proteins, and immunoglobulins, which are abundant constituents of saliva, as potential biomarkers has been recognized and extensively investigated for periodontal diseases. Gingival defensins and cathelicidins are small cationic antimicrobial peptides that play an important role in innate immune response. However, their applicability as salivary biomarkers is still under debate. The present review focuses on proteomic biomarkers and antimicrobial peptides, in particular, to be used at early phases of periodontitis.

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