Beta-defensin 2 expression in crevicular gingival fluid of smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis

Abstract

Compounds of innate immunity such as beta-defensins (hBDs) can play a key effect on disease susceptibility and resistance in the oral cavity. Aside from their direct antimicrobial activity, these peptides can play an added role of cross-talking with a number of cell types in functions as diverse as regulating chemotaxis of various leukocytes and mast cells, inducing proinflammatory cytokines, regulating early inflammatory events, and increasing adaptive immunity. Cigarette smoke extract was able to modulate human gingival cells' function by suppressing HBD 2 and enhancing IL-8 production and this may be, in part, a possible immune-modulator mechanism of the cigarette associated with the occurrence and severity of periodontal disease in smoker patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the quantitative expression of hBD 2 in the gingival crevicular fluid of smoker and non-smoker patients with chronic periodontitis and to evaluate the possible relation of these antimicrobial peptides with health and periodontal disease. For this purpose, 30 healthy individuals (without a history of systemic disease) with chronic periodontitis will be selected for the study, including 15 smokers and 15 non-smokers patients. Elisa's sandwich test will be used to quantify hBD 2. Data will be submitted to statistical analysis.(AU)