Background: Host inflammatory and immune responses play an important role in aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Thus, this study aims to evaluate levels of the innate immunity-related markers calprotectin, colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-1, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 in serum and saliva from patients with generalized AgP and those with gingivitis or a healthy periodontium.
Methods: This study enrolled 40 individuals (17 males and 23 females; mean age 33.30 ± 9.31 years), 15 with generalized AgP, 15 with gingivitis, and 10 who were periodontally healthy. Full-mouth periodontal examinations were performed, and serum and saliva were collected. Levels of calprotectin, CSF-1, MIF, MIG, and MMP-8 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results: In serum, mean levels of calprotectin were 2.06-fold higher in patients with AgP than in healthy patients (P = 0.01). Serum levels of MMP-8 were significantly elevated in patients with AgP compared with both healthy patients and those with gingivitis, by 2.60-fold and 2.77-fold, respectively (P = 0.03 and P = 0.009, respectively). In saliva, levels of MMP-8 were 5.66-fold higher in patients with AgP than in healthy patients (P = 0.02). CSF-1, MIF, and MIG levels in both serum and saliva did not differ significantly among the groups.
Conclusions: Serum levels of calprotectin and MMP-8 are elevated in patients with AgP. MMP-8 levels are also increased in saliva from patients with AgP. These results support involvement of innate immune response in the pathogenesis of AgP.
Keywords: Aggressive periodontitis; cytokines; immunity, innate; inflammation; saliva.