Chemokine RANTES in gingival crevicular fluid of adult patients with periodontitis

Background, aims: This study presents the first evidence on the presence of the chemokine RANTES in the gingival fluid crevicular (GCF) of patients wi th periodontitis. RANTES is a chemokine that selectively attracts and activ ates macrophages and lymphocytes. Leucocytes play a critical role in the ho st response to the subgingival microflora. Method: In this study the presence de RANTES in GCF was determined in sampl es obtained from adult patients with periodontitis and from control subject s with clinically healthy gingiva. GCF was collected from different probing depths (<3 mm, 4-6 mm, >6 mm) (n=72); and active (n=12) and inactive sites (n=12). An active site was defined as attachment loss >2 mm, as determined by sequential probing and the tolerance method. GFC was collected for 30 s using Periopaper(R) strips, and RANTES was quantified by ELISA. Results: The presence of RANTES was detected exclusively in the group of pa tients with periodontitis, presenting a total amount of 40.43 +/- 16 pg and a concentration 67.80+/-41 pg/mu l. RANTES concentration was significantly higher in probing depth <3 mm than in probing depth >6 mm (87.24 versus 51 .87, p = 0.014). Total amount and concentration in the GCF samples from act ive sites were higher that in inactive sites (p>0.05). Conclusions: The finding that RANTES is found only in patients with periodo ntitis, may represent a general feature of chronic inflammatory in periodon tal diseases. Finally, RANTES may be implicated in the biological mechanism s underlying the pathogenesis and progression of periodontal disease.