Effect of smoking on immunity in human chronic periodontitis

Aim

Evaluate the effects of smoking on dendritic cells (DCs), cytokines, clinical periodontal parameters, and number of teeth in samples of human chronic periodontitis (CP).

Material and methods

Gingival samples were obtained from 24 smokers and 21 non-smokers with CP. Periodontal examination was carried out. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify Factor XIIIa+ immature, CD1a+ immature, and CD83+ mature DCs. The inflammatory infiltrate was counted, and IL-2, IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A were measured using the cytometric bead array (CBA). Inflammatory infiltrate, DCs, cytokines, classification of CP, clinical periodontal parameters, number of teeth, smoking habit in years (SH/years), and number of cigarettes smoked per day (C/day) were correlated and compared.

Results

CD83+ mature DCs decreased in the smokers group. Negative correlations could be observed between the number of C/day with levels of IL-17A and number of teeth. Correlations between smoking, periodontal disease status, and other cytokines were not observed.

Conclusions

Smoking decreases mature DCs in chronic periodontitis. Moreover, a dose-dependent relation can be observed between C/day and number of teeth and levels of IL17A observed. Smokers show a different modulation of the CP immune response.