Abstract
Background: A growing body of evidence suggested that interleukin (IL)-21 enhances the effector phase during T-cell responses. The aim of our study is to determine the levels of IL-21 in periodontal sites from patients with chronic periodontitis and controls. Methods: The population studied consisted of 34 patients (15 with chronic periodontitis and 19 healthy patients). Twenty samples (10 gingival crevicular fluid [GCF] and 10 gingival biopsies) were collected from each group before the patients with periodontitis received periodontal treatment. Total protein concentrations were measured in all samples; the presence of IL-21 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and IL-21 levels were quantified through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using statistical software. Data were expressed as patient means ± SDs or medians (interquartile ranges) by using the x 2, Student t, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: GCF IL-21 was mainly detected in patients with chronic periodontitis (P <0.05). Levels of IL-21 in gingival tissues were significantly higher in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to healthy individuals (P <0.05). The Western blot and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of IL-21 in periodontal tissues and GCF. Conclusion: IL-21 was highly expressed in patients with chronic periodontitis, especially in gingival biopsies; therefore, IL-21 might play a role in the T-cell response.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1483-1489 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Periodontology |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cytokines
- Interleukin-21
- Pathogenesis
- Periodontal disease