Immune responses in women with periodontitis and preterm low birth weight: Levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in gingival granulation tissue

Immunologic burden links periodontitis to acute coronary syndrome: levels of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in gingival granulation tissue

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the proportional variation of macrophage and T-lymphocytes subpopulations in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, its association with periodontitis (P), and to compare with control individuals.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Three groups of subjects participated: one group consisted of 17 ACS patients with P (ACS + P), another group consisted of 22 no ACS + P patients, and a control group consisted of 23 participants with gingivitis (no ACS + G). Macrophage, CD4 + , and CD8 + T-lymphocytes and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio values in gingival tissue were determined histometrically.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found among three groups regarding the mean number of macrophage (no ACS + P > ACS + P > no ACS + G; p < 0.05) and CD8 + T-lymphocytes (no ACS + P > ACS + P > no ACS + G; p < 0.05). Significant variations were observed between the groups both CD4 + T-lymphocytes densities (ACS + P > no ACS + P and ACS + P > no ACS + G; p < 0.05) and CD4 + / CD8 + ratio (no ACS + P < no ACS + G and ACS + P < no ACS + G; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The increased number of CD8 + T-lymphocytes in both group ACS + P and group no ACS + P resulted in a reduction of the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio in gingival tissue when compared with no ACS + G group.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The decrease of CD4 + /CD8 + ratio in gingival tissue reflects periodontitis and may be associated with severe adverse outcomes in people with ACS.

Potential targets of phytochemical immunomodulatory therapy in periodontitis immunopathogenesis: A narrative review

Introduction

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent diseases occurring worldwide, and is caused by an imbalance of host immunological defenses and microbiome profile which occurs in the oral cavity. This imbalance leads to irregularity and uncontrolled activities of immune cells, resulting in over-reactivity of periodontopathogens and tissue destruction. To alleviate periodontitis, exact targeting of specific events involving particular cells could be a potential application of immunomodulatory agents. Phytochemical drug development targeting specific immunopathogenesis events could be a promising complementary, alternative approach to periodontal therapy.

Objectives

This review aimed to explore various events involving a variety of cells in the immunopathogenesis of periodontitis in order to determine potential specific immunomodulation targets for future development of effective phytochemical drugs.

Results

Immunopathogenesis of periodontitis contributes significantly to the disease onset and resolution. Various events occur during the disease development, which involve a variety of immune cells and mediators. Among these, neutrophils, cytokines and lymphocytes, especially Th17 cells, were reported to be the most relevant components in the disease pathogenesis. These components affect the initial responses to periodontopathogens, inhibit oxidative stress formation, control intercellular communication to enhance inflammation, and promote effector cells' migration to induce alveolar bone resorption. Several phytochemical drugs were developed to cure periodontitis, however, the development of phytochemical immunomodulatory drugs to target specific events has not been realized.

Conclusion

This review concluded that development of phytochemical immunomodulatory drugs to target particular events generated by neutrophils, pro-inflammatory cytokines and lymphocytes has tremendous potential to regulate and modulate the immunopathogenesis of periodontitis.