Protease inhibitor levels in periodontal health and disease

Abstract

Background and Objectives Our previous study showed protease inhibitors were attenuated by periopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis in cultured gingival epithelial cells. We hypothesize fewer protease inhibitors would be present in more advanced periodontal sites where the level of P. gingivalis may be high. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the protease inhibitor (SLPI, ELAFIN, SCCA) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and the number of P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque. Materials and Methods Plaque samples from subjects without (n=18) and with moderate to advanced periodontitis (n=41) were used to quantify P. gingivalis using real-time PCR. Protease inhibitor levels in the GCF of all the subjects were determined by ELISA. Results P. gingivalis was detected in 68.3% of subjects with periodontitis, while 16.7% of patients without periodontitis had detectable level of P. gingivalis. Subjects with periodontitis and P. gingivalis in their plaque exhibited lower SLPI and ELAFIN levels (p<0.001) compare to control subjects without periodontitis. SLPI was also reduced (p<0.05) in GCF of periodontal patients without detectable level of P. gingivalis. Periodontal patients with high vs. low levels of P. gingivalis exhibited reciprocal mean levels of SLPI and ELAFIN concentrations. Conclusion The reduced concentrations of SLPI and ELAFIN may contribute to the loss of host protective capacity and increase susceptibility to breakdown from chronic infection. The work of this investigation may aid in finding diagnostic and prognostic markers in periodontal health and disease and may further help in finding pharmacological targets directed against periodontal inflammation.

Transcriptional Profiling of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in Response to Porphyromonas gingivalis Secreted Products

“…SLPI levels from periodontitis patients were found to be lower than healthy individuals in GCF [73] or gingival tissue [74], compared to healthy individuals. A decrease in SLPI GCF levels is associated with high P. gingivalis levels in dental plaque [73], but this could be attributed to the inhibition of the protective effect of SLPI by the Arg-X gingipain [75].…”

Alarm anti‐protease trappin‐2 negatively correlates with proinflammatory cytokines in patients with periodontitis

“…Although to date there are no studies for trappin‐2 levels in saliva, two earlier studies investigated GCF levels of its mature secreted form, namely elafin. Whereas Kretschmar et al . showed that patients with advanced forms of periodontitis exhibited higher P. gingivalis in their plaque, with lower elafin levels, Laugisch et al .…”

“…In addition, conflicting results have been reported regarding levels of elafin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and its correlation with subgingival periodontal pathogens. Whereas Kretschmar et al . showed that patients with advanced forms of periodontitis exhibited higher P. gingivalis in their plaque with lower elafin levels, Laugisch et al .…”

Houttuynia cordata modulates oral innate immune mediators: potential role of herbal plant on oral health

“…SLPI was also found to be lower in OSCC than in normal oral epithelial tissue (Wen et al , ). Moreover, the level of decreased SLPI was detected in gingival crevicular fluid of periodontal patients (Kretschmar et al , ). The reduced antimicrobial peptides in cancer or periodontal patients may make them susceptible to oral opportunistic infections.…”