Interleukin-1 genotypes and the association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease

An epidemiological association between periodontitis and cardiovascular dis ease has been reported in multiple studies. Various mechanisms have been pr oposed as potential explanations for this association, including a common f actor that predisposes certain individuals to a hyper-responsive inflammato ry response. Variations in the genes that regulate the interleukin-1 (IL-1) response have been associated with both periodontal disease and cardiovasc ular disease. New data indicate that one pattern of IL-1 genetic polymorphi sms, characterized by the IL-1A (+ 4845) and IL-1B (+ 3954) markers, is ass ociated with periodontitis but not certain measures of atherosclerosis. Ano ther IL-1 genetic pattern, characterized by the IL-1B (- 511) and IL-1RN ( 2018) markers, is associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation, as mea sured by angiography and arterial wall thickness, but not periodontitis. Th ese two patterns also have different functional implications relative to IL -1 biological activity. Studies of IL-1 gene polymorphisms, atherosclerotic prague instability and cardiovascular clinical events are in progress. Hyp othetical models are presented to explain how IL-1 genetic factors may be i nvolved in cardiovascular disease.