“Interleukin” - An Essential Mediator of the Pathophysiology of Periodontitis

Abstract

Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial polymicrobial disease caused by a complex interaction between periodontal pathogens and host immune response. This interaction is largely regulalated by a group of signaling molecules called Interleukins. Initially, investigators believed that interleukins were made chiefly by leukocytes to act primarily on other leukocytes, and for this reason they named them interleukins, meaning “between leukocytes”. The majority of interleukins are synthesized by helper CD4+ T lymphocytes, as well as through monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Interleukins provide information to various inflammatory cells to produce essential proteins which exert pro inflammatory as well as anti inflammatory responses. This chapter will emphasize the role of interleukins in the pathophysiology of periodontitis.