HSP60 Induces TNF-alpha in Chronic Periodontitis and Coronary Heart Disease

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a common chronic inflammatory condition, which destroys the supporting tissues of the teeth. Microbial agents and heat shock proteins (HSP) have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of CP and coronary heart disease (CHD)/atherosclerosis. Objectives:The aims of this study are to investigate if serum anti-humanHSP60 IgG and anti-microbialHSP65 IgG levels are raised in patients with CP and CHD and to determine whether HSP60/65 induces pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also investigated the correlation of anti-HSP60/65 to inflammation by measuring serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with CP and CHD. Methods: 84 subjects were recruited and these included: Control group (21), Chronic Periodontitis group (21), CHD + Gingivitis group (21) & CHD + CP group (21). Serum was collected, to determine levels of anti-HSP60/65 IgG and CRP by ELISA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with HSPs; and intracellular cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. Results: There was a statistically significant elevation in serum anti-human HSP60 IgG levels in patients with CP and CHD with or without CP compared to the control patients (p=0.02 by ANOVA). In contrast serum anti-microbial HSP65 IgG levels were not significantly raised in the patient groups compared to the control group (p=0.26 by ANOVA). These results also show a significant elevation in serum CRP levels in the patient groups compared to the control group (p=0.038 by ANOVA).Only human HSP60 induced significant TNF-alpha (p<0.05) in CP and CHD compared with controls. Conclusions: This study shows raised serum anti-humanHSP60 IgG levels but not serum anti-microbial HSP65 IgG levels in patients with CP and CHD with or without CP. There was no correlation between serum CRP levels and anti-HSP60/65 IgG levels. HSP60 induces TNF-alpha in CP and CHD with or without CP.