Neutrophils in Periodontal Inflammation

Characterization of Filifactor alocis and its immune evasion strategies employed against human neutrophils.

“…It has been estimated that ~30,000 neutrophils circulate through the periodontal tissue per minute (1,177,178). Neutrophils are found in large numbers in the gingival crevice as well as in the epithelial tissue, designating them as the major effector cell of the periodontium (179)(180)(181)(182)(183). It has been proposed that neutrophils form a 'wall' of protection for their host, which is formed along the gingival epithelium and the pathogen-rich biofilm community (179,181,182).…”

“…In the inflamed periodontal tissue, chemotactic factors such as IL-8, as well as bacterial derived products, fMLF, will be abundant and guide neutrophils from the blood vessels through the gingival tissue towards the periodontal pocket (179,187,188).…”

“…There is a dynamic cross-talk between periodontal pathogens and neutrophils in the development and progression of periodontal disease (179,182,(191)(192)(193). Neutrophils that are impaired in function, show increased susceptibility to bacterial infection and development of disease (179).…”

“…Neutrophils that are impaired in function, show increased susceptibility to bacterial infection and development of disease (179). However, if on the other hand, neutrophils are in a hyperactivated state, this could lead to chronic and unresolved inflammation and bacterial persistence and survival in the oral cavity, which would greatly damage host tissues while providing a constant nutrient-rich environment for the bacteria (179,182).…”

“…Additionally, once homeostasis is disrupted, there is a reduction in the secretion of IL-8, which further impairs neutrophil recruitment to the site of infection and allows for growth and persistence of bacterial species (1). P. gingivalis also contains serine phosphatase, SerB, which operates to prevent granulocyte recruitment to periodontal tissues (179,195).…”