Effects of IL-17 on human gingival fibroblasts

Interleukin (IL)-17 is present in inflammatory periodontal lesions, thus suggesting a role in mediating inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that IL-17, especially when combined with interferon (IFN)-gamma, may modulate the responses of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). IL-17 induced IL-8 and minimal intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression. It had no effect on expression of HLA-DR, CD40, or the immune-suppressive enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). The effects of IL-17 on HGFs were compared with those of IFN-gamma. Unlike IL-17, IFN-gamma augmented the expression of HLA-DR, ICAM-1, and IDO, but not IL-8. Thus, IL-17 and IFN-gamma induce different HGF responses when administered separately. Interestingly, when IL-17 and IFN-gamma were combined, marked enhancement of ICAM-1, IL-8, and IDO expression by HGFs was observed. These findings suggest that IL-17, especially when combined with IFN-gamma, could play an important role in immune modulation through stimulation of HGFs in periodontal disease.     

The induction expression of human β-defensins in gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts

ObjectiveThe gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts can produce antimicrobial peptides when stimulated by inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of the present study was to test whether gingival keratinocytes and gingival fibroblasts respond differently to inflammatory cytokine activation. This will enable us to understand the chronic inflammatory response in the process of periodontal disease.DesignGingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts were isolated and treated with different concentrations of IL-1β and quantitative real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the induced expressions of hBD-1, hBD-2 and hBD-3. The induced response was compared between the gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts. The inhibitors of p38 protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were applied to explore the molecular mechanism during the induction of hBDs in both cells.ResultsThe results showed that the hBDs expressions were found to be induced by different concentrations of IL-1β, but with several differences between gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts. The hBDs mRNA expression in gingival fibroblasts was more sensitive compared with keratinocytes to different concentrations of IL-1β. The hBD-1 and hBD-3 expressions in these two cells were down-regulated by IL-1β and hBD-2 expression was up-regulated. The inflammatory cytokine IL-1β had dual effect on hBDs expression.ConclusionsThe gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts respond differently to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β which indicated different roles played by the two cells in the host defense. The dual effect of IL-1β on hBDs expression may contribute to the defensins down-regulation in periodontal disease.     

Free fatty acids may be involved in the pathogenesis of oral-related and cardiovascular diseases

Background

Adipose tissue insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is characterized by a high rate of lipolysis, resulting in increased plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels. Among various FFAs, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as palmitate (Pal) and stearate, can induce inflammatory responses. Moreover, CD36 (involved in FFA uptake) and its ligands can promote sterile inflammation through the assembly of Toll-like receptor heterodimers. The involvement of these molecules and receptors in the pathogenesis of both oral-related and cardiovascular diseases has been demonstrated.

Increased expression of C-reactive protein gene in inflamed gingival tissues could be derived from endothelial cells stimulated with interleukin-6

Background

Epidemiological studies have suggested periodontitis as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a predictor of cardiovascular risk, is elevated in periodontitis patients. Therefore, local infection-induced elevation of systemic CRP could account for the relationship between the 2 diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of CRP production in the periodontal tissues has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to clarify the mechanism of CRP production in periodontal tissues.

Methods

Gene expression of CRP in gingival biopsies was analysed by quantitative PCR. Human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs), human gingival fibroblasts (HGFBs), and human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were characterized for CRP-producing ability by incubating with interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), and Porphyromonas gingivalis strain W83.

Results

Gene expression of CRP is significantly elevated in periodontitis lesions compared with gingivitis lesions. HCAECs, but not HGECs and HGFBs, produced CRP in response to IL-6 and IL-1β in the presence of sIL-6R. In contrast to IL-6, the effect of IL-1β on CRP production was indirect via induction of IL-6. IL-1β was produced by HGECs and HGFBs with stimulation of P. gingivalis antigens.

Conclusion

These results suggest that CRP induced locally by periodontal infection may play another role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, and to a much lesser extent, has the potential to modulate systemic CRP level by extra-hepatic CRP production.     

Stimulatory effect of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans DNA on proinflammatory cytokine expression by human gingival fibroblasts

ObjectiveWhile different virulence factors have been reported of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), there is little information about the stimulatory effect of its DNA. The main purpose of this study was to assess the inflammatory response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans DNA.DesignCytokine levels of IL-6, IL-1α and TNF-α were measured on the supernatant of HGFs activated with 10, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml DNA of Aa during 24 h. Primary cultures of HGFs were infected with Aa and its DNA at different times and concentrations to compare its cytotoxic effect. Cell damage and adhesion of Aa to HGFs were evaluated under light microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy respectively.ResultsThere was a statistical difference (p < 0.05) in cytokine expression in HGFs activated by bacterial DNA with a dose dependent on IL-6 expression and a significantly elevated expression of IL-1α and TNF-α compared to Human DNA negative control. Substantial morphological alterations were observed after infection of A. actinomycetemcomitans in HGFs but not with bDNA exposure. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans showed a high rate of adhesion and cell damage to HGFs after 30 min.ConclusionsGenomic DNA of A. actinomycetemcomitans could be a factor in the pathogenesis of periodontitis that might play a major role in the inflammatory response.     

Focal adhesion linker proteins expression of fibroblast related to adhesion in response to different transmucosal abutment surfaces

PURPOSE

To evaluate adherence of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) to transmucosal abutment of dental implant with different surface conditions with time and to investigate the roles of focal adhesion linker proteins (FALPs) involved in HGFs adhesion to abutment surfaces.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Morphologies of cultured HGFs on titanium and ceramic discs with different surface were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Biocompatibility and focal adhesion were evaluated by ultrasonic wave application and cell viability assay. FALPs expression levels were assessed by RT-PCR and western blot.

RESULTS

There seemed to be little difference in biocompatibility and adhesion strength of HGFs depending on the surface conditions and materials. In all experimental groups, the number of cells remaining on the disc surface after ultrasonic wave application increased more than 2 times at 3 days after seeding compared to 1-day cultured cells and this continued until 7 days of culture. FALPs expression levels, especially of vinculin and paxillin, also increased in 5-day cultured cells compared to 1-day cultured fibroblasts on the disc surface.

CONCLUSION

These results might suggest that the strength of adhesion of fibroblasts to transmucosal abutment surfaces increases with time and it seemed to be related to expressions of FALPs.     

一氧化碳对肿瘤坏死因子-α和白细胞介素-1β共同诱导的人牙龈成纤维细胞黏附分子表达的影响

目的研究一氧化碳对炎性环境下人牙龈成纤维细胞黏附分子表达的影响。方法以50 ng·mL-1的肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）-α和10 ng·mL-1的白细胞介素（IL）-1β刺激加入或不加入500 μmol·L-1一氧化碳释放分子（CORM）的人牙龈成纤维细胞,用Western blot法检测细胞间黏附分子（ICAM）-1、血管细胞黏附分子（VCAM）-1的蛋白表达,用逆转录多聚酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测黏附分子的mRNA表达,用瞬时转染和报告基因测定法分析NF-κB的活性。结果TNF-α和IL-1β共同刺激后,人牙龈成纤维细胞ICAM-1和VCAM-1的mRNA表达和蛋白表达均显著增强。CORM的加入可显著抑制ICAM-1和VCAM-1的表达。CORM可显著降低ICAM-1和VCAM-1诱导的NF-κB的活性。结论一氧化碳有可能成为牙周病治疗的一种极具潜力的新物质。     

Interferon-γ stimulates CD14, TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression in gingival fibroblasts increasing responsiveness to bacterial challenge

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential effects of IFN-03A5 on the responsiveness of human gingival fibroblasts to bacterial challenge.DesignmRNA and protein expression of CD14, TLR2 and TLR4 in human gingival fibroblasts was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and flow cytometry. The effect of preincubation with IFN-03A5 on subsequent bacterial LPS-induced expression of IL-6 and IL-8 by gingival fibroblasts was determined by ELISA. Bacterial LPS-induced IκBα degradation in human gingival fibroblasts was investigated by western blot.ResultsHuman gingival fibroblasts express CD14, TLR2 and TLR4 mRNAs. IFN-03A5, but not IL-103B2, induced mRNA expression of all three receptors and the expression of membrane bound CD14 protein. Pre-incubation of fibroblasts with IFN-03A5 and subsequent stimulation with Escherichia coli LPS or Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS led to increased production of IL-6 and IL-8. LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production was abrogated by a blocking antibody to CD14. Both E. coli LPS and P. gingivalis LPS induced IκBα degradation in human gingival fibroblasts.ConclusionOur data indicate that IFN-03A5 primes human gingival fibroblasts, through the upregulation of CD14 expression, which results in increased responsiveness to bacterial LPS challenge, as determined by pro-inflammatory cytokine production.     

水蛭素对牙龈成纤维细胞碱性成纤维细胞生长因子和转化生长因子-β1表达的影响

目的 观察水蛭素对人牙龈成纤维细胞（HGFs）碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）及转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）表达变化的规律,探讨水蛭素影响牙龈改建的可能作用机制。方法 体外培养并鉴定HGFs,利用不同浓度的水蛭素分别作用于正常（对照组）和受长期机械外力作用后增生的HGFs（实验组）,通过实时定量聚合酶链反应法和免疫细胞化学法检测TGF-β1及bFGF的表达。结果 未加入水蛭素时,受长期机械外力作用后,实验组促进HGFs增殖胶原合成的TGF-β1表达升高,而抑制胶原合成的bFGF表达降低（P<0.05）。加入水蛭素干预增生的HGFs后,可正向调节bFGF表达,而负向调节TGF-β1的表达（P<0.05）。结论 外力作用干扰了HGFs胶原合成与降解之间的平衡,水蛭素可能通过调节这一平衡而促进牙龈改建过程。     

Involvement of P2X(7) purinergic receptor and MEK1/2 in interleukin-8 up-regulation by LL-37 in human gingival fibroblasts

Montreekachon P, Chotjumlong P, Bolscher JGM, Nazmi K, Reutrakul V, Krisanaprakornkit S. Involvement of P2X ₇ purinergic receptor and MEK1/2 in interleukin‐8 up‐regulation by LL‐37 in human gingival fibroblasts. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 327–337.© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37, derived from human neutrophils, can directly chemoattract leukocytes and up‐regulate the expression of several immune‐related genes in various cell types. In this study, we wanted to determine the immunoregulatory effect of LL‐37 on interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) expression in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and to characterize intracellular signaling pathway(s) and receptor(s) involved in IL‐8 induction. Material and Methods: Cultured fibroblasts were treated with different concentrations of LL‐37 or interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), as a positive control, for specific periods of time in the presence or absence of various inhibitors. RT‐PCR and real‐time PCR were conducted to analyze the expression of IL‐8 mRNA, and the IL‐8 levels in cell‐free culture media were measured using ELISAs. The MTT assay was performed to determine the cytotoxicity of LL‐37. Results: Nontoxic concentrations of LL‐37 (up to 10 μm ) and IL‐1β significantly up‐regulated the expression of IL‐8 mRNA in a dose‐dependent manner (p < 0.05). The IL‐8 protein levels were consistently significantly elevated in conditioned media of LL‐37‐treated HGFs (p < 0.05). IL‐8 up‐regulation by LL‐37 was completely abrogated by 20 μm U0126, consistent with transient phosphorylation of p44/42 MAP kinases. Moreover, pretreatment with Brilliant Blue G (a selective antagonist of the P2X₇ receptor) and the neutralizing antibody against P2X₇ blocked IL‐8 up‐regulation in a dose‐dependent manner, consistent with expression of the P2X₇ receptor in HGFs. Conclusion: These findings indicate that LL‐37 induces IL‐8 expression via the P2X₇ receptor and the MEK1/2‐dependent p44/42 MAP kinases in HGFs, suggesting both direct and indirect involvement of LL‐37 in neutrophil recruitment into an inflammatory site within diseased periodontal tissues.     

Soluble CD14-dependent intercellular adhesion molecular-1 induction by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide in human gingival fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is involved in the accumulation and activation of leukocytes in inflammatory sites through binding to beta2 integrins expressed on leukocytes. We investigated whether or not lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the periodontopathic bacterium Porphyromonas gingiualis affects ICAM-1 expression on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). CD14 is a receptor for LPS on monocytes and macrophages and is also present in serum as a soluble protein. We further examined the effects of serum and soluble CD14 (sCD14) on ICAM-1 expression in HGF stimulated with P. gingivalis LPS. METHODS: HGF were prepared from explants of human gingival tissues and incubated in 96-well culture plates before LPS stimulation. LPS derived from Escherichia coli O55:B5 and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 LPS were employed. sCD14 was purified from normal human serum (NHS) by affinity chromatography using an anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody. ICAM-1 expression on HGF was measured by a cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: P. gingivalis LPS induced ICAM-1 on HGF in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of either 10% fetal calf serum or 2% NHS. The ability of P. gingivalis LPS to induce ICAM-1 was comparable to that of LPS from E. coli at high LPS concentrations. In the absence of NHS, ICAM-1 induction was negligible in HGF stimulated with P. gingivalis LPS, reaching a maximum at 2% NHS. The ICAM-1 expression induced by P. gingivalis LPS was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to CD14. Supplementation of serum-free medium with sCD14 alone restored the capacity of HGF to respond to P. gingivalis LPS. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that P. gingivalis LPS induces ICAM-1 expression in HGF in an sCD14-dependent manner. The overexpression of ICAM-1 on fibroblasts in gingiva induced by P. gingivalis LPS seems to be involved in the retention of inflammatory cells in periodontitis lesions.     

Hyperglucose Contributes to Periodontitis: Involvement of the NLRP3 Pathway by Engaging the Innate Immunity of Oral Gingival Epithelium

Background: The NLRP3 inflammasome is essentially a family of intracellular innate immune sensors that can respond to bacterial challenge and initiate early host immunity responses. However, the involvement and possible molecular mechanism of the NLRP3 pathway in the context of chronic periodontitis (CP) and diabetes mellitus have yet to be fully elucidated. Methods: Gingival tissues were collected from patients with CP and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the expression of NLRP3 and interleukin (IL)‐1β was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. To explore the possible molecular mechanism, human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) were established in vitro and challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or high glucose. High extracellular K⁺ was applied as an inhibitor of NLRP3. The NLRP3 pathway was analyzed by immunocytochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Compared with control individuals, NLRP3 and IL‐1β were significantly upregulated in oral gingival epithelium of patients with CP and/or T2DM (P <0.05). The expression of NLRP3 was significantly upregulated in HGECs when stimulated in vitro by LPS or high glucose (P = 0.00). The simultaneous stimulation of LPS and high glucose contributed to significant upregulation of NLRP3 expression versus LPS or high glucose alone (P = 0.00). Although expression of caspase 1 and IL‐1β protein were increased in HGECs when stimulated by LPS, they were partially inhibited after the NLRP3 was successfully blocked. Conclusion: For patients with T2DM and CP, hyperglycemic status may exacerbate the inflammation state of gingival tissue by activating the NLRP3 pathway, and this abnormal host inflammatory response may contribute to further tissue breakdown.     

DHA对人牙龈成纤维细胞生物学活性及炎症因子表达的作用

目的 探索二十二碳六烯酸(docosahexaenoic acid,DHA)对人牙龈成纤维细胞(human gingival fibroblasts,HGFs)生物学活性及炎症因子表达的作用.方法 分别采用活死细胞染色法、荧光染色法、流式细胞术观察DHA对细胞活性、细胞形态、细胞周期的影响;DHA预处理HGFs后,利用...     

Involvement of angiotensin II type 1 receptors in interleukin-1β-induced interleukin-6 production in human gingival fibroblasts

The renin-angiotensin system is thought to be involved in inflammatory processes such as periodontitis. However, its precise role is still unclear. Therefore, in the present study the expression of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) was investigated in inflamed human gingival tissue, and the possible involvement of the AT1R in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) was also studied. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that inflammatory cells and fibroblast-like cells were positive for the AT1R. However, in healthy gingival tissue, AT1R staining was very weak. The levels of AT1R mRNA and AT1R protein increased in HGFs after stimulation with IL-1β. The levels of IL-1β-induced IL6 mRNA and IL-6 protein were significantly reduced in AT1R gene-silenced HGFs compared with control HGFs. The data suggest that the AT1R may be involved in the regulation of gingival inflammation by modulating IL-1β-induced IL-6 production in HGFs.