Extensive expression of TGF-beta1 in chronically-inflamed periodontal tissue

The host immune response in chronic marginal periodontitis (CMP) raised against bacteria colonizing the dentogingival area is modulated by cytokines. This study examines the distribution of the transforming growth factor-beta1 containing (TGF-beta1+) cells in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded gingival specimens from 11 patients with chronic marginal periodontitis and 7 persons with healthy gingiva. Inflamed periodontal tissue contained a 100-fold more TGF-beta1+ cells than healthy gingiva. Diverse morphological TGF-beta1+ cell types were discerned. Double immuno-enzymatic and -fluorescence staining revealed that TGF-beta1+ cells comprised 21-29% macrophages 2-3% T-cells, 3-9% B-cells, 34-35% neutrophilic granulocytes and 7-10% mast cells. The densities of all TGF-beta1+ cell types in CMP were strongly increased in the connective tissue adjacent to the pocket epithelium, in the lamina propria and adjacent to the oral epithelium. In lesions with extensive inflammation, expression was also marked in pocket epithelium. TGF-beta1 is an immunosuppressive cytokine that stimulates wound healing. Upregulation of the cytokine in inflamed gingiva may counterbalance for destructive gingival inflammatory responses that are simultaneously taking place in patients with CMP.