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Dendritic-NK cell interactions in P. gingivalis-specific responses.
1Clinical Research Center for Periodontal Diseases, School of Dentistry, VCU, PO Box 980556, Richmond, VA 23298-0556, USA.
Journal of Dental Research
|August 20, 2005
Summary
Localized aggressive periodontitis involves type-1 cytokines and P. gingivalis-reactive IgG2. Interactions between dendritic cells and NK cells promote these immune responses, enhancing P. gingivalis-specific IgG2 production.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Periodontology
Background:
- Patients with localized aggressive periodontitis exhibit type-1 cytokines and high titers of IFN-gamma-dependent IgG2 reactive with P. gingivalis.
- Monocytes from these patients spontaneously differentiate into dendritic cells, stimulating IFN-gamma production by NK cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that P. gingivalis-dendritic cell-NK cell interactions promote type-1 cytokine responses in localized aggressive periodontitis.
- To elucidate the role of these cellular interactions in the production of P. gingivalis-specific IgG2.
Main Methods:
- Assessing cytokine profiles (IFN-gamma, IL-12) in gingival crevicular fluid and serum.
- Evaluating monocyte differentiation into dendritic cells and their interaction with NK cells.
- Measuring anti-P. gingivalis IgG2 antibody titers and the impact of NK cell depletion.
Main Results:
- P. gingivalis stimulated strong IL-12 responses by monocyte-derived dendritic cells in the presence of IFN-gamma.
- NK cells produced IFN-gamma within 24 hours in the presence of dendritic cells.
- Dendritic cells enhanced anti-P. gingivalis IgG2 responses, and NK cell removal reduced IFN-gamma and P. gingivalis-specific IgG2.
Conclusions:
- P. gingivalis-dendritic cell-NK cell interactions lead to reciprocal stimulation and increased type-1 cytokine production.
- These interactions significantly enhance P. gingivalis-specific IgG2 production in localized aggressive periodontitis.