Affiliation:
1. School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2 Thivon Str, Goudi, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Abstract
Background:
Periodontitis is an immune-inflammatory disease that leads to the
progressive destruction of bone and connective tissue in the periodontal area. The cytokine
network plays a primary role in tissue homeostasis, the recruitment of immune cells to control
the pathogenic impact and the regulation of osteoclastic function, thus modulating the intensity
and duration of the immune response. This review provides an update on the main cytokines
implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of periodontitis and their targeting potential
in order to enrich current treatment options.
Methods:
A structured search of bibliographic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus) was
performed for peer-reviewed cytokine studies focused on periodontitis the last ten years. A
qualitative content analysis was performed in screened papers and a critical discussion of
main findings is provided.
Results:
An altered cytokine profile has been detected in periodontitis patients and the interplay
of pro-inflammatory and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines has been associated with disease
pathogenesis. Among the most prominent pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β,
IL-17, IL-6 and the chemokines CXCL-6, CXCL-8 are overexpressed in periodontitis patients
and correlate with disease progression. On the other hand, the anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-
11 levels are reduced while IL-12 and IFN-γ expression play a dual role in periodontal disease.
Current periodontitis treatment strategies include selective antibiotics, antimicrobial
photodynamic therapy and probiotics, which can modulate the cytokine network and when
applied in combination with specific anti-cytokine agents can exert additional beneficial effects.
Conclusion:
It is evident that cytokines play a central regulatory role in the inflammatory
process and immune cell response that underlies bone destruction in periodontitis. Specific
cytokine targeting should be considered as a complementary therapeutic scheme to current
periodontal management.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Pharmacology,Molecular Medicine,Drug Discovery,Biochemistry,Organic Chemistry
Cited by
37 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献