Expression of VLA-integrins and their related basement membrane ligands ingingiva from patients of various periodontitis categories

Periodontitis is characterized by destruction of dento-gingival fibers and apical migration of the junctional epithelium. Tissue destruction may be as sociated with altered interactions between epithelium and connective tissue mediated by integrins localized in the basement membrane zone. We examined the expression of alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 4/alpha 5 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 4 and their related extracellular matrix (ECM) ligands: lamini n-1, laminin-5, and collagen type IV in untreated periodontitis sites of va rious categories. The expression and location of ECM proteins along the bas ement membrane were found to be similar between clinically healthy and peri odontitis affected tissues. However, ECM proteins were more diffusely distr ibuted in connective tissue (CT) of periodontitis tissues as streak-like/fi brillar/granular stainings, particularly beneath the pocket epithelium (PE) and around the blood vessels. This may reflect an increase in inflammatory cell migration. The more widespread distribution of integrins alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1 in PE of periodontitis specimens may be related to disea se activity and increased rate of keratinocyte proliferation and migration. Moreover, the weaker expression of alpha 6 beta 4 in junctional epithelium (JE) of periodontitis affected tissues may be related to the epithelial de tachment from the tooth surface. Clarification of expressions of integrins and their ligands in relation to known clinical disease susceptibility fact ors may provide information on the onset and progression mechanisms of peri odontal disease destruction.