Th1 and Th2 cytokine profile in patients with early onset periodontitis and their healthy siblings

EARLY onset periodontitis (EOP) is a chronic inflammatory periodontal disea se with a strong genetic link affecting individuals aged 17 to 25. In the f amilial studies we tested the hypothesis about the role of Th1 and Th2 cyto kines in the pathogenesis of EOP disease. The study involved 6 individuals with EOP disease and their 6 siblings with healthy periodontium. Actinobaci llus actinomycetemcomitan (A. a.), a bacterium typical for EOP, was detecte d in all people studied. Th1 and Th2 cytokine production was measured after in vitro stimulation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isola ted and cultivated for 24 h and 7 days with PWM, A. a. or Escherichia coli. The levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma, IgA, IgG and IgM were measured by ELISA met hods. After in vitro stimulation of PBMC, a significantly higher production of IL-4 and significantly lower production of IFN-gamma were found in the group of patients compared with their healthy siblings. The increased level of IL-4 in patients was in good agreement with an increased level of IgM a fter stimulation of lymphocytes with E. coli. These results support Seymour 's hypothesis according to which patients with progressive disease primaril y activate Th2 lymphocytes while non-susceptible individuals activate Th1 l ymphocytes.