Gingival beta 2-microglobulin in juvenile and chronic periodontitis

Antimicrobial peptides and periodontal disease

AIMS

The goal of this review is to identify the antimicrobial proteins in the oral fluids, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid and identify functional families and candidates for antibacterial treatment.

RESULTS

Periodontal biofilms initiate a cascade of inflammatory and immune processes that lead to the destruction of gingival tissues and ultimately alveolar bone loss and tooth loss. Treatment of periodontal disease with conventional antibiotics does not appear to be effective in the absence of mechanical debridement. An alternative treatment may be found in antimicrobial peptides and proteins, which can be bactericidal and anti-inflammatory and block the inflammatory effects of bacterial toxins. The peptides have co-evolved with oral bacteria, which have not developed significant peptide resistance. Over 45 antibacterial proteins are found in human saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. The proteins and peptides belong to several different functional families and offer broad protection from invading microbes. Several antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) serve as templates for the development of therapeutic peptides and peptide mimetics, although to date none have demonstrated efficacy in human trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Existing and newly identified AMPs may be developed for therapeutic use in periodontal disease or can serve as templates for peptide and peptide mimetics with improved therapeutic indices.

Gingival fluid, beta 2-microglobulin and protein levels as indicators of periodontal disease

beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), lysozyme and protein concentrations in gingival fluid were analyzed in 19 patients with severe periodontitis and in 19 controls devoid of any clinical signs of inflammation. A significant increase of the total protein and beta 2-m levels was found in periodontal subjects. In contrast, lysozyme concentration did not reflect the inflammatory status of the periodontium. Statistical analyses showed significant correlations between beta 2-m and protein concentrations in both groups. Furthermore, the values obtained by Periotron 600 closely correlated with the protein and beta 2-m contents, indicating that this method is a reliable aid in assessment of the quantity and quality of crevicular exudate and thus the severity of periodontal disease.