IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL DETERMINATION OF INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA IN INFLAMED HUMAN GINGIVAL EPITHELIUM

Interleukin-1 beta (Il-1 beta) is the predominant form of Il-1 produce d by monocytes of the blood and by macrophages of various tissues. Hum an keratinocytes express both Il-1 alpha and Il-1 beta mRNA, but appea r to produce mainly Il-1 alpha. The aim of this study was to determine the localization of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-1 beta recepto rs in human gingival epithelium by different immunohistochemical metho ds. The alkaline phosphatase and the immunogold staining technique, as well as fluorescence microscopy, were used to investigate active part icipation of gingival epithelial cells in the development of periodont itis. Biopsies of human interdental papillae showed some activity of e pithelial cells in the production of Il-1 beta. Single cells, clusters or larger areas of the sulcular and oral epithelium appeared to produ ce Il-1 beta at inflamed sites, and in these areas the normal epitheli al structure was disturbed. Epithelial cells grown from the same biops ies appear able to express specific receptor molecules for Il-1 beta u nder normal culture conditions. It is concluded that gingival keratino cytes might be activated by inflammatory irritants and participate act ively in the inflammatory processes.