Antimicrobial peptides expression in crevicular fluid and gingival tissue of health and periodontal affected individuals and in cell culture stimulated by periodontal pathogens

• Grant number: 06/00016-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2006
• End date: April 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Reginaldo Bruno Gonçalves
• Grantee: Reginaldo Bruno Gonçalves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Human antimicrobial peptides have a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity against to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. They appear to be engaged in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune functions in oral cavity. In the present proposal, taking advantage of specific polyclonal antibodies developed against these antimicrobial peptides, we will establish a ELISA systems to measure protein concentration of hBD-1, hBD-2, hBD-3 and cathelicidin LL-37 in gingival crevicular fluid, and in the supernatants recovered from a culture of immortalized gingival epithelial cell line and neutrophils. In addition, we will use Real Time PCR to quantify mRNA expressions of these peptides in gingival tissue homogenates of non-inflamed and inflamed gingival tissues. The hypothesis of these studies is that production of these peptides is associated with periodontal disease, and bacteria in the gingival crevice differently affect the protein production of hBDs and LL-37 by gingival epithelium or neutrophils. (AU)