Direct evidence of collagenolysis in chronic periodontitis.

Abstract

There is no previous evidence that collagenases in chronic periodontitis excessively cleave collagen fibrils. In this study the eventual presence of neoepitopes produced in such a cleavage were looked for. A polyclonal antibody, which recognizes collagenase-cleaved collagen type I 3/4 carboxy-terminal neoepitope (COL1-3/4C), was used in avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex staining. In addition, moderate staining was seen in connective tissue bordering to the sulcular and junctional epithelium, surrounding some of the fibroblasts and in some areas infiltrated by inflammatory mononuclear cells. COL1-3/4C staining in chronic periodontitis was more extensive (6.3 +/- 1.2%, n = 10) and intense than that observed in controls (1.6 +/- 0.7%, n = 10, Unpaired Student's t-test, p < 0.01). It is concluded that collagenases produced by host cells contribute to periodontal tissue destruction and attachment loss.