Analysis of neutrophil-derived antimicrobial peptides in gingival crevicular fluid suggests importance of cathelicidin LL-37 in the innate immune response against periodontogenic bacteria.
Puklo. M M; Guentsch. A A; Hiemstra. P S PS; Eick. S S; Potempa. J J
Key Findings
- LL‑37 levels are elevated in chronic periodontitis and correlate with the amount of key gum‑disease bacteria
- Alpha‑defensins (HNP1‑3) are even higher in aggressive periodontitis
- Neutrophils aren’t the only source of LL‑37 in gum fluid, and bacterial enzymes can degrade LL‑37, potentially creating a local deficiency
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, the takeaway is that supporting the body’s LL‑37 production—through vitamin D, good oral hygiene, and possibly using protease‑inhibiting mouthwashes—might aid gum health. However, direct supplementation or dosing strategies for LL‑37 are not established, so focus on proven practices while watching for future LL‑37‑targeted therapies.
Summary
The study shows that a natural antimicrobial protein called LL‑37 is linked to gum disease. In people with chronic periodontitis, LL‑37 levels are higher but still may be broken down by harmful bacteria, which could weaken the mouth’s defense. This suggests that keeping LL‑37 levels up might help protect gums, but the research is observational and doesn’t test any treatments yet.
Abstract
During periodontitis, an innate immune response to bacterial challenge is primarily mediated by neutrophils. We compared neutrophilic content and the level of neutrophil-derived antimicrobial peptides in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in two clinical forms of severe periodontitis. GCF was collected from 14 patients with aggressive periodontitis, 17 patients with chronic periodontitis, and nine healthy subjects. Samples were analyzed for periodontopathogen load using real-time polymerase chain reactions. The amounts of myeloperoxidase and alpha-defensins (HNP1-3) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the level of cathelicidin (hCAP18/LL-37) was assayed by Western blot. Myeloperoxidase concentration was not correlated with levels of LL-37 and HNP1-3 in samples from patients, compared to controls. The amount of HNP1-3 was twofold and fourfold higher in patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis, respectively. Those with chronic disease had significantly elevated amounts of mature LL-37. The increased concentration of both peptides in chronic periodontitis correlated with the load of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. The lack of a correlation between LL-37, HNP1-3, and myeloperoxidase content suggests that neutrophils are not the sole source of these bactericidal peptides in the GCF of patients with periodontitis; and that other cells contribute to their local production. The bacterial proteases of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola might degrade hCAP18/LL-37, because the 11-kDa cathelicidin-derived fragment was present in GCF collected from pockets infected with these bacteria. Collectively, it appears that a local deficiency in LL-37 can be considered as a supporting factor in the pathogenesis of severe cases of periodontitis.
Study Information
pubmed
2008
10.1111/j.1399-302x.2008.00433.x