Interleukin-11, interleukin-1ß and pathogenesis of periodontal inflammation

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines may be crucial for determining the immunopathology of gingivitis and periodontitis. This study aimed to analyze interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), and interleukin-11 (IL-11) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with gingivitis (G) and chronic periodontitis (CP).

Materials and Methods: 40 subjects including 12 CP, 14 G and 14 controls (C) were enrolled. GCF samples were collected from 6 maxillary sites per patient, and analyzed for IL-1ß, and IL-11 by ELISA.

Results: Significantly lower concentrations of IL-11 were detected in CP compared to both G and C groups (p<0.05). CP group had a significantly higher total amount of IL-1ß compared to the C group (p<0.05). The IL-11: IL-1ß cytokine ratio was higher in both G and C groups compared to the CP group. IL-11: IL-1ß ratio became progressively lower with increasing probing depth (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Our data confirm that IL-11 may be acting as a key mediator in preventing the progressive inflammation in periodontal disease. Because of the possible preventive effect of IL-11 on inflammation, IL-11 may be an important factor in therapeutic modulation of periodontal disease.