Interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, beta(2)-microglobulin, and transforminggrowth factor-alpha in gingival crevicular fluid from human periodontal disease

Inflammatory mediators are central to the pathogenesis of periodontal disea ses and may be used as markers in diagnosis. The aim of this study was to i dentify and quantify the various growth factors, apoptosis-related modifier s [soluble form of Fas (sFas) and bcl-2] and cytokines in the gingival crev icular fluid (GCF) of patients with different severities of periodontitis a s compared with those of controls. GCF samples were taken from patients wit h periodontal disease and from controls. The concentrations of epidermal gr owth factor, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 bet a, IL-6, interferon-gamma, beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG), and apoptosi s-related modifiers sFas and bcl-2 in the samples were determined by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay. TGF-alpha was significantly lower in patients with periodontal disease than in the controls. In contrast, the concentrati ons of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and beta(2)-MG were significantly higher in the gro up with severe periodontal disease than in the controls. The amount of tota l protein in the GCF was considerably higher in the disease group than the controls (p < 0.05). TGF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and beta(2)-MG concentrations we re associated (Spearman rank correlation, r < 0.05 for all) with clinical m easures of disease severity (pocket depth) and inflammation (bleeding when probed). Apoptosis-related modifiers (sFas and bcl-2) could not be detected in any samples. These results suggest that the growth factor TGF-alpha and certain cytokines are associated with the presence of periodontal disease. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.