Are Cytokines Linked to Collagen Breakdown During Periodontal Disease Progression?

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Abstract
Background: Evidence of the role of cytokines produced by resident and inflammatory cells during inflammation is well established. The aim of this study was to quantify in healthy and diseased human gingiva the area fraction (AA%) occupied by collagen fibers and the amount of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) to investigate a possible correlation between such cytokines, collagen degradation, and the gingival index.Methods: Gingival tissue specimens from 6 healthy controls (group 1), 6 patients with mild gingival inflammation (group 2), 6 patients with moderate gingival inflammation (group 3), and 6 patients with severe gingival inflammation (group 4) were cultured for 72 hours, and the cytokines present in the culture media were quantified using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Paraffin gingival sections from the 24 subjects were stained with sirius red F3Ba for visualization of collagen fibers, then the area fraction (AA%) occupied by the gingival fibers was determined by automated image analysis.Results: The present study revealed significant differences (P Conclusion: The present study showed that EGF was not changed in inflamed gingival tissue and that IL‐1β and IL‐4 were particularly and intensively correlated with collagen loss. These 2 cytokines could be markers of clinical severity during active periodontitis. J Periodontol 2003;74:196‐201.