Infection and apoptosis associated with inflammation in periodontitis: An immunohistologic study.

Abstract

Evidence of increased apoptosis is observed in periodontitis and may be associated with destruction of the periodontal tissue caused by the increased cell death, with the release of danger signals and subsequent stimulation of the proinflammatory processes. However, the exact mechanisms associated with these processes remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the presence of the periodontal pathogen Treponema denticola, apoptosis, high mobility group box 1 as a damage-associated molecular pattern, and several inflammatory markers in periodontitis and gingivitis subjects. Soft tissue specimens fromgingival tissues of periodontitis and gingivitis patients were used for immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining of T.denticola chymotrypsin-like proteinase (CTLP), apoptosis markers, high mobility group box 1, Toll-like receptor 4, inflammatory cell markers, and proinflammatory cytokines. Treponema denticola was detected in all periodontitis-affected tissues.This was associatedwith a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells, including macrophages, alterations in the expression of high mobility group box 1 and its receptor, and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines compared with gingivitis. In summary, the presence of T.denticola (especially its CTLP), apoptosis, high mobility group box 1, and inflammatory markers suggests their potential involvement in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.