Expression of activated transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB in periodontally diseased tissues

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease found mainly in adults. Little is known about molecular level changes associated with host response in this condition. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor implicated in immune and inflammatory responses. NF-kappaB activation has also been reported to be associated with many chronic inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this paper was to compare the nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of NF-kappaB transcription factor (p50/p65) and cytoplasmic expression of IkappaB in periodontal tissues of periodontitis patients and controls.

Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Gingival tissues taken during extraction were processed for immunohistochemical staining and evaluation.

Nuclear (activated) p50 was found in 90% of periodontal patient tissues compared to only 30% of healthy tissues. A more significant result was obtained with p65 (75% versus 5%). Intense cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was also observed in periodontitis tissues. IkappaB, the inhibitor of NF-kappaB, was expressed only in 5% of periodontally diseased tissues.

Activation of NF-kappaB (p50/p65) is significant in periodontally diseased tissues, suggesting the potential of inhibitors of NF-kappaB in managing periodontitis.