Alliance of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) promoter gene polymorphism with chronic and aggressive periodontitis in Indian population

CD147 and MMPs as key factors in physiological and pathological processes

Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) or extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that induces the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs, as zinc-dependent proteases and versatile enzymes, play critical roles in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, cleaving of the receptors of cellular surfaces, signaling molecules, and other precursor proteins, which may lead to attenuation or activation of such targets. CD147 and MMPs play essential roles in physiological and pathological conditions and any disorder in the expression, synthesis, or function of CD147 and MMPs may be associated with various types of disease. In this review, we have focused on the roles of CD147 and MMPs in some major physiological and pathological processes.

Comparative Evaluation of Gingival Crevicular Fluid Interleukin-17, 18 and 21 in Different Stages of Periodontal Health and Disease

Background and Objectives: The elicitation of a host’s immune−inflammatory responses to overcome oral bacterial biofilm challenges is mediated by numerous cytokines. We explored the role of three such cytokines, viz. interleukin (IL)-17, 18 and 21, by measuring their levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of Indian individuals with healthy gingiva, chronic gingivitis, or chronic periodontitis. Materials and Method: Ninety systemically healthy individuals were enrolled in the study on the basis of predefined criteria and were categorized into three groups of 30 participants each. Groups A, B and C were composed of a control group with healthy gingiva, subjects with chronic gingivitis and subjects with chronic periodontitis, respectively. The periodontal disease status was assessed on the basis of a subject’s gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and radiographic evidence of bone loss. After the complete history-taking and identification of gingival sulcus/pocket depth areas for GCF collection, a sample was collected from each subject in all groups for an estimation of the cytokine levels using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 21.0. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using a post hoc Tukey’s test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean IL-17, 18 and 21 concentrations in pg/mL was the greatest for Group C (99.67 ± 18.85, 144.61 ± 20.83 and 69.67 ± 12.46, respectively), followed by Group B (19.27 ± 2.78, 22.27 ± 2.43 and 22.74 ± 1.43, respectively) and finally by Group A (healthy control; 11.56 ± 0.99, 17.94 ± 1.24 and 12.83 ± 1.21 respectively). A statistically significant difference in the mean concentrations of two interleukins (IL-17 and IL-18) was observed between Groups A and C and also between Groups B and C. A statistically significant difference in the mean concentrations of IL-21 was observed between Groups B and C. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present study, the findings revealed that the GCF levels of IL-17, IL-18 and IL-21 rose and correlated well with the severity of the disease. Thus, these cytokines present in GCF have the potential to be considered as biomarkers for periodontal tissue destruction. IL-21 in particular appears to be a promising biomarker for differentiating between gingivitis and periodontitis.

Inflammatory factors, genetic variants, and predisposition for preterm birth

Preterm birth is a major clinical and public health challenge, with a prevalence of 11% worldwide. It is the leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years old and represents 70% of neonatal deaths and 75% of neonatal morbidity. Despite the clinical and public health significance, this condition's etiology is still unclear, and most of the cases are spontaneous. There are several known preterm birth risk factors, including inflammatory diseases and the genetic background, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are far from understood. The present review highlights the research advances on the association between inflammatory-related genes and the increased risk for preterm delivery. The most associated genetic variants are the TNFα rs1800629, the IL1α rs17561, and the IL1RN rs2234663. Moreover, many of the genes discussed in this review are also implicated in pathologies involving inflammatory or autoimmune systems, such as periodontal disease, bowel inflammatory disease, and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This review presents evidence suggesting a common genetic background to preterm birth, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases susceptibility.

Potential Effect of Tobacco Consumption through Smoking and Chewing Tobacco on IL1beta Protein Expression in Chronic Periodontitis Patients: In Silico Molecular Docking Study

Detrimental effect of bad oral habits, such as smoking and chewing tobacco, on chronic periodontitis (CP) manifest chronic inflammation of gingival tissues which majorly results in gum bleeding, and teeth loss. A genetic association study of Interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) has been conducted in CP patients having smoking and chewing tobacco habits in regular life style. A molecular docking study has been consequently done to analyze the effect of tobacco on CP progression in depth. All statistical evaluation has been done by using SPSS v16.0. The findings of the study show the significant association of IL1β gene polymorphisms with CP increased susceptibility in combination of oral habits as mentioned earlier. The docking profile has showed the highest binding affinity of IL1β protein with the Nicotine derived Nitrosamine Ketone (NNK), one of the derivatives of nicotine which is in-taken through the habits associated with smoking and chewing tobacco. Nicotine, N-nitrosoanabasine, and N-nitrosonornicotine, the other derivatives, have also demonstrated significant impact over the IL1β protein-caused altered expression. Thus, this study concluded that the harmful effect of tobacco may increase the inflammation in periodontia by inducing the inflammatory active site of the IL1β protein in the CP patients.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene promoter polymorphisms with aggressive and chronic periodontitis in the eastern Indian population

Background: Periodontitis is a very common inflammatory oral disease. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine that has been involved with the gingival tissue destruction and remodeling occurrence. We investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNF-α gene promoter region with the susceptibility of aggressive and chronic periodontitis in the eastern Indian population.

Methods: A total of 397 DNA samples from venous blood were isolated. 40 individuals were aggressive periodontitis patients, 157 were identified chronic periodontitis patients, and the remaining 200 were healthy individuals. Five SNPs of TNF-α at promoter region (rs361525, rs1800629, rs1799724, rs1800630, and rs1799964) were genotyped by PCR-sequencing in periodontitis patients and control subjects.

Results: rs1800629 (-308G/A) polymorphism was more frequent in both aggressive and chronic periodontitis patients compared with the control population, though the allele frequency was different only in aggressive periodontitis patients. On the other hand, both the genotypic and allelic variation of rs361525 (-238G/A) polymorphism were found significantly less frequently in aggressive and chronic periodontitis than in controls. The other polymorphisms like rs1799724 (-857C/T) and rs1799964 (-1031T/C) were significantly different between chronic periodontitis patients and control subjects.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the rs1800629 (-308G/A) polymorphism of TNF-α gene is associated with both aggressive and chronic periodontitis while rs1799724 (-857C/T) and rs1799964 (-1031T/C) polymorphisms of TNF-α gene is associated only with the increased susceptibility to chronic periodontitis.