Cytokine profiles and the dynamic of gingivitis development in humans

• Published in: Journal of clinical periodontology Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 67 - 75
• Main Authors: Leite, Fábio R. M., Nascimento, Gustavo G., Møller, Holger J., Belibasakis, Georgios N., Bostanci, Nagihan, Smith, Patricio C., López, Rodrigo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2022
• Subjects: Adult; Cytokines; Cytokines - analysis; Dental Plaque; Gingiva; gingival crevicular fluid; Gingival Crevicular Fluid - chemistry; Gingivitis; Gum disease; Humans; Hygiene; immunity; Inflammation; Interferon; Interferon-gamma; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Oral hygiene; periodontal diseases; statistical factor analysis; Tumor necrosis factor; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Tumors; gingival crevicular fluid; immunity; periodontal diseases; statistical factor analysis; inflammation
• ISSN: 0303-6979; 1600-051X; 1600-051X
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13565

Aim
To investigate the relationship between cytokine profiles and “fast” and “slow” patterns of gingival inflammation development.
Materials and Methods
Forty‐two adults participated in an experimental gingivitis study, comprising a 2‐week hygiene phase (clinical examination and professional cleaning); a 3‐week induction phase (absence of oral hygiene); and a 2‐week resolution phase (re‐establishment of oral hygiene). Plaque and gingival inflammation scores were assessed. Interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐13, and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) from gingival crevicular fluid were collected and measured by multiplex ELISA. Group‐based‐trajectory‐modelling (GBTM) was used to model cytokine profiles over the induction phase. The effect of gingival inflammation on cytokine levels over time was estimated with mixed‐effects modelling.
Results
GBTM analysis revealed two cytokine profiles, “non‐organized response” (IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐12, and IL‐13) and “organized response” (IL‐2, IL‐10, and TNF‐α). Among the “slow” responders, neither cytokine profile was associated with gingivitis. In contrast, a “fast” response was associated with a higher “non‐organized response” factor (coef. 0.14) and a lower “organized response” factor (coef. −0.03).
Conclusion
A “fast” gingivitis development was associated with a higher “non‐organized response” and a lower “organized response”, which may elucidate the role of individual variability in gingivitis susceptibility.