NYMC Faculty Publications

Inflammation and Tissue Loss Caused by Periodontal Pathogens is Reduced by Interleukin-1 Antagonists

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Additional Author Affiliation

Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC

DOI

10.1086/341778

Journal Title

The Journal of Infectious Diseases

First Page

511

Last Page

516

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-15-2002

Department

Pharmacology

Abstract

Periodontal disease is a significant cause of tooth loss among adults. It is initiated by pathogenic bacteria, which trigger an inflammatory response that is effective in preventing significant microbial colonization of the gingival tissues. In some individuals, the reaction to bacteria may lead to an excessive host response, resulting in periodontal tissue destruction. Recent developments suggest that interleukin (IL)-1 genetic polymorphisms may identify certain individuals who have a predisposed susceptibility to periodontal breakdown and that elevated levels of IL-1 are found in individuals with periodontal disease. However, there is no direct evidence that IL-1 per se is responsible for the critical events that occur in periodontitis. We investigated the role of IL-1 in periodontal disease in a Macaca fascicularis primate model, using human soluble IL-1 receptor type I as a specific inhibitor. The results indicate that inhibition of IL-1 alone significantly reduces inflammation, connective tissue attachment loss, and bone resorption that are induced by periodontal pathogens.

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