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.     

Alendronate regulates cytokine production induced by lipid A through nuclear factor‐κB and Smad3 activation in human gingival fibroblasts

Tamai R, Kiyoura Y, Sugiyama A. Alendronate regulates cytokine production induced by lipid A through nuclear factor‐κB and Smad3 activation in human gingival fibroblasts. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 13–20. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates (NBPs) are widely used as anti‐bone‐resorptive drugs. However, use of NBPs results in inflammatory side‐effects, including jaw osteomyelitis. In the present study, we examined the effects of alendronate, a typical NBP, on cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and gingival fibroblasts incubated with lipid A. Methods: The PBMCs and gingival fibroblasts were pretreated with or without alendronate for 24 h. Cells were then incubated in the presence or absence of lipid A for a further 24 h. Levels of secreted human interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. We also examined nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation in both types of cells by ELISA. Activation of Smad3 in the cells was assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, we performed an inhibition assay using SIS3, a specific inhibitor for Smad3. Results: Pretreatment of PBMCs with alendronate promoted lipid A‐induced production of IL‐1β and IL‐6, but decreased lipid A‐induced IL‐8 and MCP‐1 production. In human gingival fibroblasts, alendronate pretreatment increased lipid A‐induced production of IL‐6 and IL‐8, and increased NF‐κB activation in gingival fibroblasts but not PBMCs stimulated with lipid A. In contrast, alendronate activated Smad3 in both types of cells. Finally, SIS3 inhibited alendronate‐augmented IL‐6 and IL‐8 production by human gingival fibroblasts but up‐regulated alendronate‐decreased IL‐8 production by PBMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that alendronate‐mediated changes in cytokine production by gingival fibroblasts occur via regulation of NF‐κB and Smad3 activity.     

Porphyromonas gingivalis induction of mediator and cytokine secretion by human gingival fibroblasts

We hypothesized that bacterial viability and strain characteristics of Porphyromonas gingivalis could affect the induction of pro-inflammatory mediator secretion by human gingival fibroblast cultures. Both killed and viable P. gingivalis elicited production of prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6 and IL-8, although killed P. gingivalis induced generally higher levels, particularly IL-6 and IL-8, compared with the viable bacteria. P. gingivalis strains, which exhibited wild-type levels of trypsin-like protease activity, stimulated human gingival fibroblasts to secrete increased levels of prostaglandin E2 and IL-1 beta, although minimal levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were noted in supernatants from the gingival fibroblast cells. P. gingivalis strains BEI and NG4B19, which have either decreased or undetectable levels of trypsin-like protease, respectively, induced significantly greater IL-6 and IL-8 levels in gingival fibroblast cultures compared with the other strains. The ability of antibody to P. gingivalis to alter human gingival fibroblast production of pro-inflammatory mediators was tested using nonhuman primate antisera. Both immune and nonimmune sera altered the P. gingivalis-generated pattern of mediators from the gingival fibroblasts. We conclude that: (i) viable and killed P. gingivalis were capable of inducing various pro-inflammatory cytokines from human gingival fibroblasts; (ii) strain differences in cytokine induction were noted, and the expression of a trypsin-like protease activity was related to decreased extracellular levels of IL-6 and IL-8; and (iii) the presence of serum, particularly with specific antibody to P. gingivalis, significantly altered human gingival fibroblast cytokine production compared with P. gingivalis alone.     

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.     

Cytokines differentially regulate CXCL10 production by interferon-gamma-stimulated or tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts

Background and Objective: CXC chemokine 10 (CXCL10) activates CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and attracts activated T‐helper 1 cells. In this study we examined the effects of cytokines on CXCL10 production by human gingival fibroblasts. Material and Methods: Human gingival fibroblasts were exposed to pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α), a T‐helper 1 cytokine (interferon‐γ), T‐helper 2 cytokines (interleukin‐4, interleukin‐13), T‐helper 17 cytokines (interleukin‐17A, interleukin‐22) and regulatory T‐cell cytokines (interleukin‐10, transforming growth factor‐β1) for 24 h. CXCL10 production by human gingival fibroblasts was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Human gingival fibroblasts produced CXCL10 protein upon stimulation with interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α and interferon‐γ. Treatment of human gingival fibroblasts with interferon‐γ in combination with tumor necrosis factor‐α or interleukin‐1β resulted in a synergistic production of CXCL10. However, interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐13 inhibited CXCL10 production by interferon‐γ‐stimulated or tumor necrosis factor‐α‐stimulated‐human gingival fibroblasts. On the other hand, interleukin‐17A and interleukin‐22 enhanced CXCL10 production by human gingival fibroblasts treated with interferon‐γ and inhibited CXCL10 production by tumor necrosis factor‐α‐stimulated human gingival fibroblasts. Furthermore, the anti‐inflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐10, inhibited CXCL10 production by both interferon‐γ‐ and tumor necrosis factor‐α‐stimulated human gingival fibroblasts, but transforming growth factor‐β1 enhanced interferon‐γ‐mediated CXCL10 production by human gingival fibroblasts. Conclusion: These results mean that the balance of cytokines in periodontally diseased tissue may be essential for the control of CXCL10 production by human gingival fibroblasts, and the production of CXCL10 might be important for the regulation of T‐helper 1 cell infiltration in periodontally diseased tissue.     

Evaluation of interleukin-10 producing CD19+ B cells in human gingival tissue

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate IL-10 producing CD19⁺ B cells and to examine the correlation between these cells and the expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, RANKL, and IL-10 cytokines in the gingival tissues of individuals with and without chronic periodontitis.DesignData were obtained from 20 patients with chronic periodontitis and 10 healthy controls. The gingival samples were analyzed by immunofluorescence, while real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to determine cytokine levels.ResultsThe number of IL-10 producing CD19⁺ B cells and the expression levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the inflamed gingival tissues than in the healthy tissues. A positive correlation between the expression levels of IL-10 and the number of IL-10 producing CD19⁺ B cells were observed. IL-1β, TNF-α, and RANKL expression levels were significantly elevated in diseased gingivae compared to healthy tissues, and there was a positive correlation between the expression levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines and the number of IL-10 producing CD19⁺ B cells.ConclusionWhile IL-10 producing CD19⁺ B cells are present in the gingival tissues of patients with periodontal disease and of those with a healthy periodontium, the diseased gingival tissues had a much greater number of these cells than the healthy. The mRNA and protein levels of IL-10, IL-1β, and RANKL, as well as mRNA levels of TNF-α, were positively correlated with the number of IL-10 producing CD19⁺ B cells, which highlights the importance of these factors in the development and progression of periodontitis.     

Aspects of interleukin-8 gene expression by gingival and dermal fibroblasts stimulated with interleukin-1beta or tumour necrosis factor alpha

Fibroblast-derived interleukin (IL)-8 is thought to have an important role in the orchestration of immuno-participant cells infiltrating the skin and gingiva in response to continuously recurring bacterial infection. Therefore, the IL-8 gene expression should be under tight regulatory control and it might be temporally and spatially limited in inflammatory tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine the aspect of the IL-8 gene expression by fibroblasts stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. In situ hybridisation revealed that fibroblasts did not express IL-8 mRNA whereas keratinocytes and endothelial cells did in IL-1beta- or TNF-alpha-injected mice skin. However, cultured mouse dermal fibroblasts expressed not only IL-8 but also IL-1beta mRNA without stimulation by exogenous IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, and the expression was not enhanced by the exogenous cytokines. A similar result was obtained in late-passage human gingival fibroblasts. These results suggest that fibroblasts remain insensitive to IL-1beta and TNF-alpha so as to induce the IL-8 gene expression in non-inflammatory mice skin. Mouse dermal and late-passage human gingival fibroblasts in vitro are likely to be altered in phenotype into IL-8-producing cells along with the production of IL-1beta. In skin inflammation and periodontal diseases, fibroblasts may express the IL-8 gene even without an exogenous cytokine, IL-1beta or TNF-alpha, during their proliferation similar to the situation in our culture system.     

Synergistic enhancement of collagenous protein synthesis by human gingival fibroblasts exposed to nifedipine and interleukin-1-beta in vitro

Abstract: Gingival overgrowth commonly occurs coincident to therapy with calcium channel blockers. The biologic mechanism for this condition is unknown; however, many clinicians suggest that poor oral hygiene may contribute to development of the overgrowth. This study tests the hypothesis that collagenous protein synthesis by gingival fibroblasts is synergistically enhanced when they are exposed to both nifedipine (N) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1-beta, a cytokine expressed in inflamed gingiva. Human gingival fibroblasts were isolated from biopsies of normal gingiva and cells separated into two groups. Group 1 was exposed to media containing 0, 5, 50, or 500 pg/ml IL-1-beta, or 10⁻⁷ M N for 7 days; Group 2 was exposed to those concentrations of IL-1-beta +10⁻⁷ M N. [³H]-proline was added to the medium for the final 24 h. Cells and matrix were harvested and radioactivity determined by liquid scintillation analysis. Means (d.p.m./10³ cells) were compared by factorial ANOVA and Scheffè comparisons. Collagenous protein synthesis was significantly reduced by 5 pg/ml IL-1-beta +10⁻⁷ M N and enhanced by 500 pg/ml IL-1-beta +10⁻⁷ M N as compared to N or IL-1-beta alone. Thus, patients may be more susceptible to gingival overgrowth coincident to nifedipine therapy as a result of the synergistic enhancement of connective tissue synthesis by these agents.     

Functional TLRs and NODs in human gingival fibroblasts

Since human gingival fibroblasts are the major cells in periodontal tissues, we hypothesized that gingival fibroblasts are endowed with receptors for bacterial components, which induce innate immune responses against invading bacteria. We found clear mRNA expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR)1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, MD-2, MyD88, NOD1, and NOD2 in gingival fibroblasts. Gingival fibroblasts constitutively expressed these molecules. Upon stimulation with chemically synthesized ligands mimicking microbial products for these receptors, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, was markedly up-regulated. Furthermore, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by TLR and NOD ligands was significantly inhibited by an RNA interference assay targeted to NF-kappaB. These findings indicate that these innate immunity-related molecules in gingival fibroblasts are functional receptors involved in inflammatory reactions in periodontal tissues, which might be responsible for periodontal pathogenesis.     

低强度脉冲式超声波在脂多糖诱导的RAW264.7巨噬细胞分化中的抗炎和抗氧化作用

目的研究低强度脉冲式超声波（LIPUS）对RAW264.7巨噬细胞极化的影响及相关分子机制。 方法100 ng/mL脂多糖（LPS）和10 ng/mL白细胞介素（IL）-4诱导巨噬细胞RAW264.7分别向M1和M2型极化，45 mW/cm²强度LIPUS对巨噬细胞处理25 min。采用流式细胞术检测巨噬细胞氧化应激活性氧（ROS）水平、M1分化标志物CD80和CD11b，以及M2分化标志物CD163的表达水平。采用反转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）技术检测CD80、CD11b、核转录因子κB（NF-κB）p65、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-1β和IL-6的mRNA水平。采用Western blot技术检测细胞p65、p-p65、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6表达水平。采用流式细胞术检测细胞培养上清TNF和IL-6表达水平。 结果LIPUS可明显减少LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞ROS水平。LPS诱导后，RAW264.7细胞M1分化标志物CD80和CD11b表达和转录水平均上调；LIPUS可抑制LPS对RAW264.7细胞向M1的诱导，差异具有统计学意义。并且，LIPUS可促进IL-4诱导的巨噬细胞M2分化标志物CD163表达。LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞炎症因子NF-κB p65、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA水平上调，LIPUS可下调这些炎症因子的mRNA水平，差异均具有统计学意义。LIPUS抑制了LPS对RAW264.7细胞因子蛋白p65和p-p65、IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-6蛋白表达上调的作用。胰酶可以通过激活ROS-NF-κB通路，回复LIPUS促进巨噬细胞M1分化的作用。 结论LIPUS可通过ROS-NF-κB抑制RAW264.7向巨噬细胞M1型分化，促进RAW264.7向巨噬细胞M2型分化。氧化应激和炎症因子表达水平被抑制。LIPUS可能在牙周疾病中起到抑制氧化和炎症的作用，从而发挥对牙周疾病的治疗功能。     

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。     

Treponema medium glycoconjugate inhibits activation of human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with phenol-water extracts of periodontopathic bacteria

Oral treponemes are well-known as causative agents of periodontal diseases; however, the details have not been fully clarified. Here, we examined the effects of Treponema medium glycoconjugate on the activation of human gingival fibroblasts using phenol-water extracts from Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The phenol-water extracts activated human gingival fibroblasts to mediate IL-8 production, as well as IL-8 mRNA expression, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. T. medium glycoconjugate exhibited no activation of human gingival fibroblasts, while phenol-water extract-induced activation of human gingival fibroblasts was clearly inhibited by T. medium glycoconjugate. Furthermore, binding of biotinylated phenol-water extracts to CD14 in the presence of LPS-binding protein was blocked with T. medium glycoconjugate. These results suggest that T. medium glycoconjugate has an inhibitory effect on host cell activation by periodontopathic bacteria caused by binding to CD14- and LPS-binding protein.     

High IL-6 synthesis in cultured fibroblasts isolated from radicular cysts

OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory cytokines have been reported to be related with inflammation and expansion of jaw cysts. In this study, to examine the relationship between radicular cysts and inflammatory cytokines, it was found that there was notable unique evidence on cytokine synthesis from fibroblasts isolated from radicular cysts. METHODS: The expression of such cytokines, namely, interleukin-1beta, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating (GM-CSF) mRNA, in nine radicular cysts was examined and compared with that detected in six specimens of healthy gingival mucosa. Furthermore, separating all fibroblasts from their respective radicular cysts, healthy gingival mucosa, and healthy periodontal ligaments, these fibroblast groups were cultured without stimulators and a supernatant for each was obtained to analyse IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma by ELISA. RESULTS: Differences between radicular cysts and healthy gingival mucosa were not clearly shown by the expression of cytokine mRNA. Analysing inflammatory cytokine synthesis in fibroblast groups from these three kinds of tissues, surprisingly, the levels of IL-6 mRNA and protein were recognised to be higher in fibroblasts of radicular cysts than in those of control tissues by ELISA and a real-time RT-PCR. Significant differences in the cultured supernatants of these fibroblast groups were not recognised in the release of IL-1beta, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma by ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it was suggested that fibroblasts inducing IL-6 production might play important roles in the expansion of radicular cysts. It is considered that fibroblasts around radicular cysts may lead to high IL-6 synthesis over time in chronic inflammation.     

白藜芦醇对高糖环境下牙龈上皮细胞TLR4表达及炎症因子分泌的影响

目的:研究白藜芦醇对高糖环境下牙龈上皮细胞TLR4表达及炎症因子分泌的影响,探讨白藜芦醇对伴糖尿病牙周炎患者的治疗作用及相关分子机制.方法:体外培养牙龈上皮细胞,按照作用方式不同分为正常对照组、高糖组和高糖+白藜芦醇组.荧光定量PCR检测TLR4表达情况;取第3代牙龈上皮细胞,高糖环境下采用或不采用白藜芦醇处理24 h,随后用100 ng/mL LPS处理2 h,ELISA检测IL-1β 、IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α分泌;Western印迹法检测TLR4信号通路下游分子NF-κB p65、p38MAPK和STAT3磷酸化.采用SPSS 17.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析.结果:白藜芦醇可以逆转高糖环境下牙龈上皮细胞TLR4水平的升高,同时抑制高糖环境下LPS诱导的IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α表达.Western印迹结果显示,白藜芦醇也可抑制TLR4信号通路下游分子NF-κB p65、p38MAPK和STAT3磷酸化.结论:白藜芦醇通过负向调控TLR4信号通路减轻高糖环境下牙龈上皮细胞炎症因子的分泌.     

Human gingival fibroblasts are critical in sustaining inflammation in periodontal disease

Background and Objective:  A major factor in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, which is one of the biofilm infectious diseases, is thought to be lipopolysaccharide (LPS), owing to its ability to cause inflammation and promote tissue destruction. Moreover, the elimination of pathogens and their component LPSs is essential for the successful treatment of periodontal disease. Lipopolysaccharide tolerance is a mechanism that prevents excessive and prolonged responses of monocytes and macrophages to LPS. Since persistence of inflammation is necessary for inflammatory cytokine production, cells other than monocytes and macrophages are thought to maintain the production of cytokines in the presence of LPS. In this study, we investigated whether human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), the most abundant structural cell in periodontal tissue, might be able to maintain inflammatory cytokine production in the presence of LPS by not displaying LPS tolerance.
Material and Methods:  Human gingival fibroblasts were pretreated with LPS (from Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli ) and then treated with LPS, and the amounts of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in the cell culture supernatants were measured. The expression of negative regulators of LPS signalling (suppressor of cytokine signalling-1, interleukin-1 receptor-associated-kinase M and SH2 domain-containing inositol-5-phosphatase-1) was also examined in LPS-treated HGFs.
Results:  Human gingival fibroblasts did not display LPS tolerance but maintained production of IL-6 and IL-8 when pretreated with LPS, followed by secondary LPS treatment. Lipopolysaccharide-treated HGFs did not express negative regulators.
Conclusion:  These results demonstrate that HGFs do not show LPS tolerance and suggest that this characteristic of HGFs sustains the inflammatory response in the presence of virulence factors.     

Effects and interactions of tumour necrosis factor α and bradykinin on interleukin-1 production in gingival fibroblasts

Effects of and interactions between tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and bradykinin (BK) on production of interleukin-1 (IL-lα, IL-lβ) in human gingival fibroblasts were studied. The cytokine TNFα induced production of cell-associated IL-lα and IL-1β in gingival fibroblasts, with IL-lβ being most abundant. Addition of BK, in the presence of TNFα, for 1 h and 6 h, respectively, synergistically enhanced the TNFα induced IL-lβ production, whereas BK alone did not induce 1L-1 production. Similar to BK, two phorbol esters, phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDBu) and phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) which are known to stimulate protein kinase C (PKC), synergistically enhanced the TNFα induced IL-lβ production in the gingival fibroblasts. On the contrary, a phorbol ester which does not activate protein kinase C, 13-phorbolacetate (13-PA), did not potentiate the TNFα induced IL-lβ production. Similar to BK, the phorbol esters (PMA, PDBu, 13-PA) alone did not induce IL-1β production in the gingival fibroblasts. The results indicate that TNFα induces production of cell-associated IL-1 in gingival fibroblasts, which can be upregulated by a PKC dependent pathway.     

Cyclosporin A regulates interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 expression in gingiva: implications for gingival overgrowth

BACKGROUND: Gingival overgrowth is a common side effect following the administration of cyclosporin A (CsA); however, the cellular mechanisms remain poorly understood. CsA's immunosuppressant properties involve the regulation of synthesis and cellular response to cytokines. A CsA-induced alteration in the cytokine profile within gingival tissue could provide a mechanism for gingival hyperplasia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CsA on the production of 2 cytokines - interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) - by both gingival fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). METHODS: Cells were stimulated for 24 hours in the presence of CsA over a concentration range of 100 to 2,000 ng/ml and the resultant cytokine production determined by ELISA. In addition, levels of both cytokines within normal, inflamed, and overgrown gingival tissue were determined. RESULTS: CsA inhibited IL-6 production by gingival fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, at a concentration of 2,000 ng/ml, CsA stimulated IL-6 production by PBMC (P <0.05). Fibroblasts derived from overgrown gingiva produced significantly higher levels of IL-6 than their normal counterparts (P <0.05). CsA inhibited IL-1beta production by PBMC over the whole concentration range (P <0.05). IL-1beta was not found in measurable quantities in any of the fibroblast cultures. Levels of IL-6 extracted from overgrown gingival tissue were significantly higher than in inflamed or normal tissue. In contrast IL-1beta levels in overgrown tissue were not statistically significantly greater than those in inflamed tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that CsA does regulate cytokine expression in gingival tissue. This effect may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CsA-induced gingival overgrowth.