Role of CD14+ CD16+ Monocytes in the Pathogenesis of Periodontitis Associated Systemic Diseases

Abstract

Monocytes are immune cells that form an important bridge between the innate and adaptive immune response. These cells exist in various phenotypes based on cell surface marker expression and participate in the pathobiology of many systemic diseases. Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition of the tooth attachment apparatus caused by microbial assault from the dental plaque biofilm. It is noteworthy that monocytes play a key role in mediating tissue destruction in periodontitis. The CD14+ CD16+ monocytes that bear both the surface markers are especially involved and upregulated in periodontitis and produce increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines following microbial challenge. In this context and exploring the available literature, the present chapter aims to unravel the role of CD14+ CD16+ monocytes in periodontitis and systemic disease and also aims to elucidate the possible pathways by which periodontitis could be a key risk factor for systemic disease based on monocyte selection and participation.