Triclosan reduces prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with interleukin-1 in vitro

Abstract The effect of the toothpaste ingredient triclosan (2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxyldiphenyl ether) on the prostaglandins biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) was studied in vitro. When gingival fibroblasts were treated simultaneously with triciosan and IL-1β, the stimulatory effect of IL-1β on prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and PGI₂ formation was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by triclosan. Triclosan also reduced the PGE: formation induced by TNFα. Furthermore, the capacity of IL-1β to induce release of [³H] arachidonic acid from prelabelled gingival fibroblasts was reduced in the presence of triclosan. Addition of exogenous unlabelled arachidonic acid (AA) to the cells resulted in enhanced PGE₂ formation which was reduced by triclosan. The upregulation of the metabolism of AA to PGE₂ induced by IL-lβ, was markedly reduced in the presence of triclosan. The study indicates that the stimulatory effect of IL-1β on prostanoid formation (PGE₂, PGI₂) in human gingival fibroblasts was diminished in the presence of triciosan partly at the level of phospholipase A₂ and partly at the level of cyclooxygenase. The present data that triclosan. in vitro, inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins suggests that this can be an aspect of its clinical effect on gingivitis, in addition to its antibacterial effect.     

Interleukin-6 production in human fibroblasts derived from periodontal tissues is differentially regulated by cytokines and a glucocorticoid

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is thought to be a major mediator of the host's defense against infection, and it regulates immune responses in inflamed tissue. In this study, we investigated the regulation of IL-6 production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF). Pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-lα, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulated IL-6 production in HGF and HPLF in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This IL-lα, IL-lβ, or TNF-α-induced IL-6 production was enhanced, but the cAMP accumulation they induced was inhibited by the addition of indomethacin. This result suggests that endogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) partially inhibits IL-l or TNF-α-induced IL-6 production, and that the enhancement of IL-6 production by IL-l or TNF-α may not be caused through endogenous PGE2-induced cAMP-dependent pathway. Dexamethasone (DEX), a glucocorticoid which is a inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) activation, markedly inhibited IL-l (α or β) or TNF-α-induced IL-6 production; so this production may be partially mediated through NF-kB. IL-l (α or β) and TNF-α enhanced IL-6 production synergistically. IL-6 production in HGF or HPLF stimulated with IL-lβ was augmented by the addition of interferon (IFN)-(gama), but was slightly suppressed by the addition of IL-4. Endogenous IL-6 enhanced IL-l (α or β)-induced IL-6 production in the presence of IL-6 soluble receptor (IL-6sR). Accordingly, in inflamed periodontal tissues, gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament fibroblasts stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-l or TNF-α, may produce IL-6, and this production can be differentially modulated by endogenous PGE2, IL-6sR, T cell-derived cytokines such as IFN-(gama) or IL-4, and glucocorticoids.     

interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α stimulate synergistically the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblastic cells derived from human periodontal ligament

The present study demonstrates that interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induce and synergistically stimulate monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in fibroblasts from human periodontal ligament. IL-1β and TNF-α induced in a dose-dependent manner the expression of the MCP-1 gene in the fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament. However, such an inducing effect was not observed with IL-6 and interferon-γ. The peak expression of the MCP-1 gene by IL-1β or TNF-α was observed at 3 h after initiation of their treatment. Furthermore, IL-1β in combination with TNF-α synergistically stimulated the MCP-1 gene expression in the cells. We also observed significant chemotactic activity for human monocytes in conditioned medium of fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament treated with both cytokines. The stimulated chemotactic activity induced by these cytokines depended on both dose and treatment time. The chemotactic activity in conditioned medium of IL-1β-treated fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament was neutralized by antiserum specific for MCP-1 protein. The MCP-1 gene product in conditioned medium of IL-1β-treated fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament was shown to have a molecular mass of 11,000 Da by immunoprecipitation with the specific antiserum, and IL-1β also stimulated synergistically MCP-1 protein expression in combination with TNF-α. These results suggest that IL-1β and TNF-α may contribute to the infiltration of monocytes into inflammatory sites of periodontal ligament tissues via the MCP-1 gene product produced by fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament.     

Effect of implant surface material and roughness to the susceptibility of primary gingival fibroblasts to inflammatory stimuli

ObjectivesThe impact of the implant surface material and roughness on inflammatory processes in peri-implantitis is not entirely clear. Hence, we investigated how titanium and zirconia surfaces with different roughness influence the susceptibility of primary human gingival fibroblasts to different inflammatory stimuli.MethodsPrimary human gingival fibroblasts were isolated from 8 healthy individuals and cultured on following surfaces: smooth titanium machined surface (TiM), smooth zirconia machined surface (ZrM), moderately rough titanium surface (SLA), or moderately rough zirconia surface (ZLA). Subsequently, stimulation with one of the following stimuli was performed: Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β. The resulting production of IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was measured by qPCR and ELISA.ResultsP. gingivalis LPS induced IL-6 and MCP-1 production was slightly higher on titanium surfaces compared to zirconia surfaces. IL-1β induced IL-6 production was not affected by any surface characteristic. The production of MCP-1 in response to IL-1β was higher on smooth compared to rough surfaces and was not affected by the material. The production of IL-6 and MCP-1 in response to TNF-α was most strongly affected by surface characteristics. Higher production of these cytokine was observed on smooth compared to rough surfaces and on titanium compared to zirconia surfaces. Surface characteristics had only minor effects on IL-8 production.SignificanceThe susceptibility of primary gingival fibroblasts to inflammation depends on various factors, such as surface material, surface roughness and the nature of inflammatory stimuli. All these factors might determine susceptibility to peri-implantitis.     

Signal transduction pathways involved in the synergistic stimulation of prostaglandin production by interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha in human gingival fibroblasts

Accumulating evidence indicates that prostaglandins play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In this study, the effects and interactions between IL-1beta and TNFalpha on prostaglandin production and its regulation were investigated. The cytokines IL-1beta and TNFalpha stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) production in gingival fibroblasts. Simultaneous treatment of the cells with IL-1beta and TNFalpha resulted in a synergistic stimulation of PGE2 and PGI2 formation. IL-1beta and, to a lesser extent, TNFalpha stimulated the release of 3H-arachidonic acid (3H-AA), and simultaneous addition of IL-1beta and TNFalpha further increased the release of 3H-AA from pre-labeled gingival fibroblasts. Furthermore, IL-1beta and, to a lesser extent, TNFalpha induced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA. Simultaneous addition of IL-1beta and TNFalpha synergistically enhanced COX-2 mRNA levels, accompanied by a corresponding stimulation of PGE2 synthesis. Neither IL-1beta, TNFalpha, nor the combination of these two cytokines affected COX-1 mRNA levels. PMA, known to activate protein kinase C (PKC), enhanced the stimulatory effect of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and the combination on COX-2 mRNA levels accompanied by a corresponding increase in PGE2 production. The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, BPB, and the PKC inhibitor, BIS, reduced PGE2 production, whereas dexamethasone, indomethacin, and NS-398 completely abolished PGE2 production induced by IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and the combination. The study indicates that the synergistic stimulation of prostaglandin production by IL-1beta, and TNFalpha is mediated partly at the level of COX-2 and partly at the level of PLA2 and that PKC is involved in the signal transduction of the synergy between the two cytokines. The synergy between IL-1beta and TNFalpha may play an important role in the inflammatory processes in gingival tissue in vivo.     

Stimulation of human periodontal ligament fibroblast collagenase production by a gingival epithelial cell-derived factor

To examine whether cell-to-cell interactions between human gingival epithelial cells (HGE) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF) or gingival fibroblasts (GF) take place in the periodontium, the effects on collagenase production by PLF and GF were analyzed after adding several concentrations of HGE-con-ditioned medium (HGE-CM) to PLF or GF culture. Collagenase production by both cell populations was stimulated by adding HGE-CM, which stimulated collagenase production by PLF to a greater extent than that by GF. The HGE-derived stimulatory factor had a molecular mass of approximately 20 kDa, and its stimulant effect was inhibited markedly in the presence of an anti-human interleukin-lα (IL-lα) neutralizing antibody, indicating that the factor was identical to, or antigenically cross-reactive with, IL-lα. These results suggest that epithelial apical migration in the periodontium may occur after interstitial resident cells have released tissue-degrading enzymes, such as collagenase, and damaged the extracellular matrix, once a sufficient amount of IL-lα-like factor for stimulating the production of proteolytic enzyme has been released by HGE in periodontal lesions.     

糖尿病型牙周炎牙龈组织中炎症因子表达及与细胞凋亡关系

目的:探讨糖尿病型牙周炎(diabetes associated periodontitis,DAP)牙龈组织中凋亡细胞发生及与IL-1β和TNFα表达的关系.方法:纳入DAP患者和健康龈(H)受试者各20例,用HE染色和Tunnel法观察牙龈细胞凋亡,透射电镜观察凋亡细胞超微结构;用免疫组化(IHG)检测牙龈组织炎症因子IL-1β和TNFα表达.结果:DAP组牙龈上皮棘细胞层和基底细胞层见明显细胞凋亡,固有层凋亡细胞较少;DAP组牙龈上皮棘细胞和基底细胞凋亡百分率高于H组(P＜0.01);IHC染色发现DAP组IL-1β和TNFα表达明显高于H组,主要阳性表达细胞为巨噬细胞、浆细胞和淋巴细胞.结论:DAP患者牙龈组织中IL-1β和TNFα在细胞凋亡中起重要作用.     

Intracellular interleukin-1 alpha production in human gingival fibroblasts is differentially regulated by various cytokines.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) may play a critical role in immune and inflammatory responses in inflamed gingiva, and it is synthesized by a wide variety of host cells. In this study, we examined the regulatory effects of various cytokines on bioactive membrane IL-1 and intracellular IL-1 alpha production in cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Recombinant human (rh) IL-1 beta stimulated membrane IL-1 activity, which was mainly attributed to IL-1 alpha. rhIL-1 beta and rh tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha stimulated HGF to produce intracellular IL-1 alpha, whereas rh interleukin-6 (IL-6), rh interleukin-4 (IL-4), and rh interferon (IFN)-gamma did not do so. Intracellular IL-1 alpha production induced by rhIL-1 beta or rhTNF-alpha may be partially related to protein kinase C (PKC) activation, because rhIL-1 beta or rhTNF-alpha-induced intracellular IL-1 alpha production was stimulated by pre-treatment with 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a PKC activator, but was suppressed by the pre-treatment with 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl) -2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), which is a PKC inhibitor. rhIL-4 inhibited rhIL-1 beta- or rhTNF-alpha-induced intracellular IL-1 alpha production, but rhIL-6 had no effect on this production. Pre-treatment with rh IFN-gamma remarkably enhanced intracellular IL-1 alpha production induced by subsequent treatment with rhIL-1 beta or rhTNF-alpha. Simultaneous treatment with rhIFN-gamma and rhIL-1 beta inhibited rhIL-1 beta-induced intracellular IL-1 alpha production, but co-treatment with rhIFN-gamma and rhTNF-alpha enhanced rhTNF-alpha-induced intracellular IL-1 alpha production. These results suggest that in inflamed gingiva, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha may induce bioactive intracellular IL-1 alpha production in human gingival fibroblasts and that this production can be differentially modulated by T-cell-derived cytokines such as IFN-gamma or IL4.     

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。     

Th2 cytokines efficiently stimulate periostin production in gingival fibroblasts but periostin does not induce an inflammatory response in gingival epithelial cells

Objectives

This study aims to clarify whether gingival fibroblasts produce periostin in response to Th2 cytokines which are elevated in periodontitis lesion and, if so, whether periostin affects the inflammatory response and matrix-protein metabolism.

Design

Human gingival fibroblasts, periodontal ligament cells and the gingival epithelial cell line epi4 were stimulated with interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Periostin expression was analysed by real-time polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. The expression of the IL-4 receptor α-chain was evaluated by immunocytochemistry. The effect of periostin on the production of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of matrix protein-related genes was analysed by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

While IL-4 and IL-13 significantly induced periostin production in gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells, no effect was observed in epi4 cells. No stimulatory effect of TNF-α or P. gingivalis LPS on the production of periostin was observed. The effect of periostin on the production of inflammatory cytokines was weak in gingival fibroblasts; however, little or no effect was observed on periodontal ligament cells or epi4 cells. No significant effect of periostin on the expression of matrix protein-related genes was found.

Conclusion

The results suggest that gingival fibroblasts may be a source of periostin in periodontitis lesions but periostin has only a limited role either in the inflammatory response or in matrix-protein metabolism. Thus, the role of periostin in the cellular interaction between epithelial and mesenchymal cells in gingiva may be distinct from that of skin.     

Prostaglandin F2alpha upregulates interleukin-6 production in human gingival fibroblasts

Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) is a bioactive lipid mediator which has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. However, the roles of PGF2alpha in periodontal lesions are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PGF2alpha on interleukin (IL)-6 production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). PGF2alpha stimulated IL-6 production in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), proinflammatory cytokines, induced IL-6 production in a time-dependent manner, and PGF2alpha synergistically enhanced IL-6 production induced by IL-1beta and TNFalpha. IL-6 mRNA was expressed in PGF2alpha-stimulated HGF, and PGF2alpha increased IL-6 mRNA levels induced by IL-1beta and TNFalpha. Fluprostenol, a selective FP receptor agonist, could mimic PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 production. Since FP receptors are coupled to elevation of intracellular calcium and activation of protein kinase C (PKC), the mechanism of IL-6 production by PGF2alpha was investigated using TMB-8, an inhibitor of Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores, and calphostin C, an inhibitor of PKC. TMB-8 significantly suppressed PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 production, whereas calphostin C showed a stimulatory effect on PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 production. From these data, we suggest that PGF2alpha upregulates IL-6 production through FP receptors in HGF, that PGF2alpha synergistically enhances IL-6 production in IL-1beta- and TNFalpha-stimulated HGF, and that PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 production may be dependent on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and be downregulated by PKC activation. PGF2alpha may be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease by enhancing IL-6 levels in periodontal lesions.     

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.     

种植体周龈沟液高迁移率族蛋白B1的检测分析

目的:检测种植体周围炎患者龈沟液(gingival crevicular fluid,GCF)中高迁移率族蛋白B-1(high mobility groupbox l,HMGB-1)的水平,以探讨HMGB-1水平与种植体周围炎间的关系。方法 :经患者知情同意,选取行种植手术1年以上的健康种植体39颗和种植体周围炎40颗,共79颗种植体,收集种植体周围GCF,并运用ELISA法检测其中HMGB-1、IL-1β、IL-8、TNF-α的浓度,同时检测种植体周围的临床指标。结果 :轻度种植体周围炎组的HMGB-1、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α浓度高于健康种植体组,重度种植体周围炎的浓度水平又高于轻度种植体周围炎组,HMGB-1与IL-1β、TNF-α的浓度之间亦存在正相关关系(P<0.01)。结论:种植体周围GCF中HMGB-1水平变化与种植体周围炎的病变程度有关,且与经典炎症因子间存在显著相关性,临床检测GCF中HMGB-1水平可作为诊断种植体周围炎的客观指标。     

microRNA-223在牙龈卟啉单胞菌诱导牙龈成纤维细胞炎症调控的研究

目的 探讨microRNA-223在牙龈卟啉单胞菌脂多糖(Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides, P.g-LPS)诱导牙龈成纤维细胞(gingival fibroblasts,GFs)炎症过程中对相关炎症因子表达水平的调控作用。 方法 采用慢病毒转染、干扰GFs中的microRNA-223的表达,在最适P.g-LPS刺激浓度(800 μg/L)分别刺激过表达、抑制以及正常表达microRNA-223的GFs,采用实时聚合酶联反应（Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,qPCR）检测TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的mRNA表达水平变化,酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)检测其蛋白水平的变化。 结果 LPS刺激GFs产生炎症反应时,细胞内microRNA-223以及相关促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的mRNA和蛋白表达水平较正常细胞中的表达量明显上调。当细胞内microRNA-223上调时,促炎因子的mRNA和蛋白表达水平也会上调(P<0.001);当细胞内microRNA-223下调时,促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β的蛋白水平会显著下降(P<0.001)。 结论 当GFs受P.gingivalis-LPS刺激发生炎症时,microRNA-223的表达量增多,上调促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6,进一步加重组织细胞的炎症。     

Periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts participate in the production of TGF-β, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10

The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the production of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10 by human cultured periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts both obtained from the same donors challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Fibroblasts were exposed to 0.1-10 μg/mL of LPS from P. gingivalis and after 24 h the supernatants were collected and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TGF-β protein production was upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner, mainly in gingival fibroblasts, which was statistically significant when challenged by 10 μg/mL LPS. Additionally, at this concentration, gingival fibroblasts had almost a two-fold increase in the amount of TGF-β when compared to periodontal ligament fibroblasts. Both periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts showed an increase in IL-8 production when challenged with 1 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL LPS. IL-10 production remained unaffected when challenged by any of the LPS concentrations tested in either periodontal ligament or gingival fibroblasts. Our results demonstrate that periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts when challenged by LPS from P. gingivalis with 24 h may play a critical role in producing TGF-β and IL-8 but not IL-10.     

Secretion of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-1ra by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in response to lipopolysaccharides from periodontopathic bacteria

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are the first cells that migrate into periodontal tissues and gingival crevices in response to invading pathogens. It was recently demonstrated that PMN have the ability to synthesize and release cytokines following appropriate stimulation, while it is not clear whether these capacities are directly related to periodontal destructive processes. We therefore investigated the amounts of the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-lβ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-8 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra) secreted by PMN from healthy donors following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from 4 periodontopathic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga ochracea and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and the non-oral bacterium Escherichia coli. A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum and E. coli LPS stimulated the release of significantly greater amounts of IL-lβ, TNF-α and IL-8 than the control unstimulated PMN (p<0.01). The levels of IL-lβ, TNF-α and IL-8 released from cells stimulated with P. gingivalis or C. ochracea LPS were significantly lower than those of cells stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans or E. coli LPS (p<0.05). On the other hand, substantially greater amounts of IL-lra were released from PMN stimulated with each LPS and from control unstimulated PMN during the first 6 h, and then significantly greater amounts of IL-lra were secreted by PMN stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans and E.coli LPS during the following 12 h (p<0.01). The inhibitory effects of IL-lra on the biological activity of IL-1 in the supernatants of PMN were examined by the thymocyte comitogen proliferation assay. The supernatants of PMN stimulated with each LPS showed less biological IL-1 activity as compared with the same doses of recombinant human IL-lβ detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, no activity was detected in the supernatants of PMN stimulated with P. gingivalis or C. ochracea LPS. These findings demonstrated that LPS from periodontopathic bacteria were capable of stimulating PMN to release not only pro-inflammatory cytokines but also their inhibitors such as IL-lra. Different secretion levels of these cytokines and their biological activities induced by the various LPS might be important in the onset and progression of periodontal diseases.