VASCULAR COLOCALIZATION OF PROTEOLYTIC-ENZYMES AND PROTEINASE-INHIBITORS IN ADVANCED PERIODONTITIS

Sections of tissue biopsies obtained from advanced, destructive period ontitis mere compared with minimally inflamed periodontal tissues in r elation to the distribution of type I (interstitial) collagenase, Immu nohistochemistry using a highly specific antiserum showed weak stainin g of occasional vessels in minimally inflamed specimens but widespread reactivity, localized to the vasculature, in advanced disease, In sit u hybridization confirmed the vascular source of type I collagenase, M inimally inflamed tissues did not react with antibody to urokinase-typ e plasminogen activator, a potential activator of pro-collagenase, but there was a consistent strong reaction in advanced disease, Antibody to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 did not react with m inimally inflamed tissues, but gave intense, widespread vascular stain ing in advanced disease, whereas antibody to TIMP-2 produced localized connective tissue staining, These results indicate that upregulation of proteinases and inhibitors related to the vasculature is an integra l component of destructive periodontitis.