Growth factors/cytokines/defensins and apoptosis in periodontal pathologies

In the recent past there has been an increased emphasis on morphogenetic tissue research of periodontal tissues. The aim of this study was to find qualitative and quantitative correlations in distribution and appearance of growth factors/cytokines/defensins and apoptosis in periodontal pathologies.

Tissue was obtained from 5 controls and 6 chronical periodontitis patients 30-50 years of age referred to Latvian Institute of Stomatology. Histological investigations were performed at the Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology of Riga Stradins University.

Epithelial cells abundantly expressed IL10 in patients. The expression of b-defensins was very variable in both sulcular and gingival epithelium. TUNEL positive cells were observed in patients and control specimens with dominance in control group. Gingival epithelium showed moderate expression of bFGF whereas few to moderate cells were positive for bFGF in sulcular epithelium. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF-1R) was abundant in gingival epithelium and in connective tissue cells, but almost not detectable in sulcular epithelium. Insulin-like growth factor receptor was not expressed in gingival epithelium and was weakly seen in basal layer of sulcular epithelium. Basic nerve growth factor expresion in both types of epithelium was numerous to abundant. Staining for the NGFR in the gingival epithelium was variable, with prevalence to be moderate whereas sulcular epithelium was free from any factor immunoreactivity.

1. Finding of apoptotic cells are variable and seems to correlate with the expression of defensins in oral epithelium in patients with periodontitis. 2. FGFR was expressed more than the bFGF, but in case with NGFR and bNGF situation was opposite. Although IGFRI was found in sulcular epithelium with no expression in gingival one suggesting about stimulation in regeneration/adaptation in periodontitis affected tissue. 3. The expression of growth factors and their receptors in sulcular epithelium was lower than into the gingival epithelium and seems to be specific for periodontitis.