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Herpesvirus infection of inflammatory cells in human periodontitis
A Contreras1, H H Zadeh, H Nowzari
1Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-0641, USA.
Abstract:
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) are frequently detected in human periodontitis lesions. However, no information is available on the types of gingival cells infected by herpesviruses. The present study determined the presence of herpesviruses in polymorphonuclear neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages and T and B lymphocytes in biopsies of periodontitis lesions from 20 adults. A nested polymerase chain reaction method was employed to detect HCMV, EBV-1, EBV-2, human herpes virus-6 and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in periodontal tissue biopsy and in gingival cell fractions separated by immunomagnetic cell sorting. Tissue specimens from 18 (90%) and cell fractions from 14 (70%) patients demonstrated herpesviruses. Periodontitis-derived monocytes and macrophages revealed HCMV in cell fractions from 11 (55%) patients and HSV in cells from 1 (5%) patient. T lymphocytes harbored HCMV in cell fractions from 4 (20%) patients and HSV in cell fractions from 4 (20%) patients. B lymphocytes showed EBV-1 in cell fractions from 9 (45%) patients. Periodontal polymorphonuclear neutrophils demonstrated no herpesviruses. This study suggests that HCMV mainly infects periodontal monocytes, macrophages and less frequently T lymphocytes and that EBV-1 infects periodontal B lymphocytes. The possible etio-pathologic significance of periodontal herpesvirus infection is discussed.
Insights
Herpesviruses like human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) infect specific cells in periodontitis. HCMV targets monocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes, while EBV-1 infects B lymphocytes.
Area of Science:
- Oral Microbiology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Periodontitis is a common oral inflammatory disease.
- Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) are frequently found in periodontitis lesions.
- The specific gingival cells infected by these herpesviruses remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the types of gingival cells infected by herpesviruses in periodontitis lesions.
- To investigate the presence of HCMV, EBV-1, EBV-2, human herpesvirus-6, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in various immune cell populations within periodontal tissues.
Main Methods:
- Biopsies from periodontitis lesions of 20 adults were analyzed.
- Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect herpesviruses.
- Immunomagnetic cell sorting was employed to isolate and analyze specific gingival cell fractions (polymorphonuclear neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes).
Main Results:
- Herpesviruses were detected in 90% of tissue specimens and 70% of cell fractions.
- Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was found in monocytes/macrophages (55%) and T lymphocytes (20%).
- Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) was detected in B lymphocytes (45%). Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was found in T lymphocytes (20%).
- Periodontal polymorphonuclear neutrophils did not show detectable herpesvirus infections.
Conclusions:
- Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) primarily infects periodontal monocytes, macrophages, and to a lesser extent, T lymphocytes.
- Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) infects periodontal B lymphocytes.
- The findings suggest a significant role for herpesviruses in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, particularly HCMV and EBV-1 in specific immune cell types.