Effect of triclosan on interferon-gamma production and major histocompatibility complex class II expression in human gingival fibroblasts

Background, aims: The effect of triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxyl-dip henyl ether) on the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and the expr ession of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen was studi ed in human gingival fibroblasts isolated from 4 individuals. Methods/Results: AII cell lines demonstrated high IFN-gamma production in 2 4-h cultures of human gingival fibroblasts stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (5 mu g/ml). Human gingival fibroblasts showed a high expression of MHC class II when stimulated with 500 and 1000 pg/ml rIFN-gamma in ri-day c ultures. Treatment of the cells with triclosan (0.5 mu g/ml) reduced both I FN-gamma production and MHC class II expression in human gingival fibroblas t cultures. Similar inhibitory effects on IFN-gamma production and MHC clas s II expression were observed when the anti-inflammatory agent dexamethazon e (1 mu M) was used. Conclusion: The present study further supports the view that the agent has an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to its antibacterial capacity.