Reduced ADAM8 levels upon non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis

Expression Levels of A Disintegrin-like Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-4 and -5 (ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5) in Inflamed and Healthy Gingival Tissues

BACKGROUND

ADAMTS (A disintegrin-like metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) is a group of 19 zinc-dependent metalloproteases known to function in many pathological and physiological processes, such as adhesion, cell fusion, signaling, proteolysis and ECM degradation.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the levels of ADAMTS-4 and -5 in gingival tissues with Stage III-Grade B generalized periodontitis (SIII-GB), Stage III-Grade C generalized periodontitis (SIII-GC) and healthy-control (C) groups.

METHODS

The clinical measurements were recorded for each patient. A total of 63 gingival biopsy specimens were obtained from the C (n:20), SIII-GB (n:23) and SIII-GC (n:20) groups. Polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations were used to determine gene and protein levels.

RESULTS

According to the results of all methods, ADAMTS-4 and -5 expressions existed in periodontitis and C groups (P> 0.05). Immunostaining for ADAMTS-4 was found to be higher in patients with periodontitis than for ADAMTS-5 (P>0.05). Gene expression levels for ADAMTS-4 and -5 seemed to be up-regulated in subjects diagnosed with periodontitis, but the results were not statistically significant (P>0.05). A positive correlation was observed between PPD and ADAMTS-4 mRNA in SIII-GC (p=0.035) and SIII-GB (p=0.015). A positive correlation was determined between ADAMTS-4 mRNA and ADAMTS-5 mRNA in SIII-GC (p=0.037) and SIII-GB (p=0.00).

CONCLUSION

ADAMTS expression may take part in both pathological and physiological processes in the periodontal tissues, and periodontal destruction may be the result of a complex interaction of several pathways with many participants, such as ADAMTS-4 and -5, thus facilitating the exaggeration of periodontal disease.

A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase-Control Elements in Infectious Diseases

Despite recent advances in treatment strategies, infectious diseases are still under the leading causes of death worldwide. Although the activation of the inflammatory cascade is one prerequisite of defense, persistent and exuberant immune response, however, may lead to chronicity of inflammation predisposing to a temporal or permanent tissue damage not only of the site of infection but also among different body organs. The initial response to invading pathogens is mediated by the recognition through various pattern-recognition receptors along with cellular engulfment resulting in a coordinated release of soluble effector molecules and cytokines aiming to terminate the external stimuli. Members of the ‘a disintegrin and metalloproteinase’ (ADAM) family have the capability to proteolytically cleave transmembrane molecules close to the plasma membrane, a process called ectodomain shedding. In fact, in infectious diseases dysregulation of numerous ADAM substrates such as junction molecules (e.g., E-cadherin, VE-cadherin, JAM-A), adhesion molecules (e.g., ICAM-1, VCAM-1, L-selectin), and chemokines and cytokines (e.g., CXCL16, TNF-α) has been observed. The alpha-cleavage by ADAM proteases represents a rate limiting step for downstream regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIPing) of several substrates, which influence cellular differentiation, cell signaling pathways and immune modulation. Both the substrates mentioned above and RIPing crucially contribute to a systematic damage in cardiovascular, endocrine, and/or gastrointestinal systems. This review will summarize the current knowledge of ADAM function and the subsequent RIPing in infectious diseases (e.g., pathogen recognition and clearance) and discuss the potential long-term effect on pathophysiological changes such as cardiovascular diseases.

Gingival Crevicular Fluid Zinc- and Aspartyl-Binding Protease Profile of Individuals with Moderate/Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a protease-modulated chronic disorder with heterogenous clinical manifestations which may lead to an imprecise diagnosis. To date, there are no diagnostic protease tests for AD. We explored the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) protease profile of individuals with moderate/severe AD compared to healthy controls. An exploratory case-control study was conducted. AD patients (n = 23) and controls (n = 21) were enrolled at the International Center for Clinical Studies, Santiago, Chile. Complete dermatological and periodontal evaluations (involving the collection of GCF samples) were made. The levels of 35 proteases were analyzed using a human protease antibody array in matching AD patients (n = 6) and controls (n = 6) with healthy periodontium. The GCF levels of zinc-binding ADAM8, ADAM9, MMP8, Neprilysin/CD10, aspartyl-binding Cathepsin E, serin-binding Protein convertase9, and uPA/Urokinase proteases were lower in moderate/severe AD patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). No inter-group differences in the levels of the other 28 proteases were found. MMP8, Cathepsin E, and ADAM9 were the biomarkers with the highest sensitivity and specificity regarding the detection of AD (p < 0.05). The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for MMP8 was 0.83 and MMP8 + ADAMP9 was 0.90, with no significant differences (p = 0.132). A combined model of MMP8, Cathepsin E, and ADAM9 was not considered since it did not converge. Then, levels of MMP8 in GCF were determined using a multiplex bead immunoassay in 23 subjects with AD and 21 healthy subjects. Lower levels of MMP8 in the GCF from the AD group versus healthy group (p = 0.029) were found. This difference remained significant after adjustment by periodontitis (p = 0.042). MMP8 revealed the diagnostic potential to identify AD patients versus healthy controls, (ROC area = 0.672, p < 0.05). In conclusion, differences in the protease profile between AD and control patients were associated with MMP8, Cathepsin E, and ADAM9. Based on the multiplex assay results, MMP8 was lower in AD patients than controls, suggesting that MMP8 may be a diagnostic biomarker candidate.