Human β-defensin 2 and protease activated receptor-2 expression in patients with chronic periodontitis

ObjectiveSome previous studies have shown that gingipains, trypsin-like proteases produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis, up-regulate human β defensin-2 (HBD-2) mRNA expression through protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in gingival epithelial cells. This study aimed at investigating salivary HBD-2 levels and crevicular PAR2 mRNA expression in human chronic periodontitis and evaluating whether periodontal treatment affected this process.MethodsSalivary and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected from periodontally healthy (control) and chronic periodontitis patients at baseline and 50 days after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Salivary HBD-2, and GCF TNF-α levels were analysed by ELISA, and PAR2 mRNA at the GCF was evaluated by RT-PCR.ResultsP. gingivalis was significantly (p < 0.05) more prevalent in patients with chronic periodontitis when compared to controls. This prevalence decreased after periodontal therapy (p < 0.0001). The control group showed statistically significant lower levels of HBD-2, TNF-α, and PAR2 expression when compared to the chronic periodontitis group. In addition, periodontal treatment significantly reduced PAR2 expression and HBD-2 levels in chronic periodontitis patients (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results suggest that salivary HBD-2 levels and PAR2 mRNA expression from GCF are higher in subjects with chronic periodontitis than in healthy subjects, and that periodontal treatment decreases both HBD-2 levels and PAR2 expression.