Cationic antimicrobial peptides and periodontal physiopathology: A systematic review

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review was to establish if patients suffering from periodontal diseases present differences in the expression or production of cationic antimicrobial peptides in saliva, gingival fluid, and periodontal tissues. Periodontal diseases are among the most common chronic diseases worldwide and share similar etiological or risk factors (genetic and/or environmental) with other systemic disorders. Over the last decade, an increasing number of publications have suggested the implication of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in periodontal and oral tissues conditions. Literature searches were conducted through MEDLINE‐PubMed and EMBASE databases which identified 1267 publications. Only clinical studies that focused on assays of the expression and/or production of AMPs in human adult oral fluids (gingival crevicular fluid or saliva) or in oral tissues were retained and finally seventy‐four publications meeting inclusion criteria were included. Cathelicidin, α‐ and β‐defensins 1‐3 are the most documented AMPs regarding periodontal status. Significant correlations between clinical periodontal indexes (PD, CAL) and/or bacteriological index and LL37 level were retrieved. Data remain inconsistent between the studies for hBDs mainly due to heterogeneity of the results, periodontal disease diagnostic criteria and assaying technique employed. Given their role in innate immunity and their antimicrobial functions, LL‐37 and α‐defensins may be eligible as periodontal clinical biomarkers and could be an interesting way for therapeutic development.

Gingival tissue human beta‐defensin levels in relation to infection and inflammation

“…According to our results, tissue levels of hBDs do not relate to the severity of gingival inflammation. Previous studies demonstrated controversial findings in terms of the relation between periodontal inflammation and hBD levels; RNA and protein expression profiles of hBDs in periodontitis and in experimental gingivitis models were found to be elevated, steady, or suppressed (Dommisch et al, , ; Jourdain et al, ; Offenbacher et al, ; Pereira, Holzhausen, Franco, Cortelli, & Cortelli, ; Yılmaz et al, ). Although our results are in line with the reports of Wang et al, () and Li et al, (), in which no difference was observed in hBD‐2 and hBD‐3 gene expression levels between healthy and inflamed gingiva, longitudinal study designs are required to understand the shifts in inflammation‐related regulation of hBD expression.…”

Surface Design for Antibacterial Materials: From Fundamentals to Advanced Strategies

“…[ 8 ] It is reported that drug‐resistant bacteria could claim ten million lives a year, and by 2050, this number will surpass the deaths due to cancer. [ 9 ] To better treat the infections caused by drug‐resistant bacteria, various antimicrobial drugs [ 10 ] (e.g., antibacterial peptides and amphiphiles) and antimicrobial materials [ 11 ] (e.g., nanoparticles, hydrogels, engineered surfaces, and surface coatings) have been developed. However, the situation of bacterial resistance has not been alleviated effectively.…”

Oral Microbiota: A Major Player in the Diagnosis of Systemic Diseases

“…The most studied AMPs are Leucine leucine-37 (LL-37), α-, and β-defensins. A recent systematic review on the subject reveals that, in saliva, some AMPs such as LL-37, HNP1-3 (Human Neutrophil Peptide 1-3), substance P, adrenomedullin, azurocidin, and some others were increased in periodontal disease, while others like calcitonin gene-related protein or neuropeptide Y were decreased [270]. They could thus be used either as novel disease markers or designed to target specific oral bacteria.…”