THE INTERLEUKIN-1 GENOTYPE AS A SEVERITY FACTOR IN ADULT PERIODONTAL-DISEASE

Although specific bacteria, dental plaque, and age are associated with periodontal disease, there are currently no reliable predictors of pe riodontitis severity. Studies in twins have suggested a genetic contri bution to the pathogenesis of periodontitis, but previous attempts to identify genetic markers have been unsuccessful. The pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF al pha) are key regulators of the host responses to microbial infection. IL-1 is also a major modulator of extracellular matrix catabolism and bone resorption. We report a specific genotype of the polymorphic IL-1 gene cluster that was associated with severity of periodontitis in no n-smokers, and distinguished individuals with severe periodontitis fro m those with mild disease (odds ratio 18.9 for ages 40-60 years). Func tionally the specific periodontitis-associated IL-1 genotype comprises a variant in the IL-1B gene that is associated with high levels of IL -1 production. In smokers severe disease was not correlated with genot ype. In this study, 86.0% of the severe periodontitis patients were ac counted for by either smoking or the IL-1 genotype. This study demonst rates that specific genetic markers, that have been associated with in creased IL-1 production, are a strong indicator of susceptibility to s evere periodontitis in adults.