How has research into cytokine interactions and their role in driving immune responses impacted our understanding of periodontitis?

Abstract

Objective: To review current knowledge on cytokine interactions and the cytokinemediated links between innate and adaptive immunity that are relevant to the pathophysiology of periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A structured review of the literature was undertaken to identify relevant research publications using a Medline search from 1950 to September 2010. The focus of the search was on the functional role of cytokines, i.e. their actions and responses relevant to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease rather than more descriptive studies of their expression in tissues and body fluids. It was not possible to conduct a traditional systematic review with a focussed question due to the heterogeneity of published research. Results: There is enormous heterogeneity in the periodontal literature in terms of experimental approaches. We have the deepest understanding of the role of the proinflammatory cytokines [e.g. interleukin (IL)-1b, tumour necrosis factor-a, IL-6] with accumulating data on T-cell regulatory cytokines (e.g. IL-12, IL-18), chemokines and cytokines which mediate bone cell development and function (e.g. receptor activator of NFkB ligand, osteoprotegerin). It is clear that there are multiple, overlapping and complex functional links between cytokines with regulatory control exerted at a number of levels and involving numerous cell types (both immune cells and resident cells in the periodontium). Conclusion: Cytokines appear to interact functionally in networks in the periodontium and integrate aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. However, our understanding is far from complete, particularly how molecular and cellular pathways relate to disease pathogenesis. We should adopt consistent experimental approaches to gain better insight into the totality of cytokine networks and how they drive immune responses in the periodontium.

Obesidade e saúde bucal: impacto da obesidade sobre condições bucais

“…Por sua vez, é de conhecimento geral que a adipocina é uma proteína secretada pelo tecido adiposo branco entre outros, cuja caracterís-tica funcional é a de alterar a resposta imunológi-ca do organismo, além de ocasionar um estado de inflamação crônico 1 . Algumas citocinas produzidas por células adiposas e macrófagos, encontrados no processo inflamatório, são de grande relevância no desenvolvimento da periodontite 29 . A leptina e resistina, adipocinas que parecem estar também envolvidas nessa relação, têm a função de manutenção e ativação do processo inflamatório, e tem uma relação com a secreção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias 30 .…”

Virulence Mechanisms of Leukotoxin from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

“…IL-1 is an important regulator of bone resorption, which associates this cytokine to the alveolar bone loss seen in periodontitis (Schett, 2011;Dinarello, 2011;Preshaw & Taylor, 2011). Analysis of gingival exudates have shown increased IL-1 concentration associated to periodontitis (Reinhardt et al, 2010;Preshaw & Taylor, 2011).…”

Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Periapical Lesions Upregulate the Production of Immunoregulatory Cytokines by Inflammatory Cells in Culture / Mezenhimske matične ćelije iz periapeksnih lezija stimulišu produkciju imunoregulacijskih citokina od strane inflamacijskih ćelija u kulturi

“…Although we did not investigate the molecular pathways involved in these processes, it can be postulated that interplay between PL-MSCs, antigen-presenting cells (APC) and Tregs in the cocultures is of particular importance. This hypothesis is based on the knowledge that for the development of Tregs, which are significant producers of TGF-β, a direct contacts between T cells, APC and probably other cells, is necessary (17).…”

“…proven signalling pathway involved in the upregulation of genes responsible for IL-10 transcription (17).…”