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LL‐37 in periodontal health and disease and its susceptibility to degradation by proteinases present in gingival crevicular fluid
Author(s) -
McCrudden Maelíosa T. C.,
Orr David F.,
Yu Yang,
Coulter Wilson A.,
Manning Gwen,
Irwin Chris R.,
Lundy Fionnuala T.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/jcpe.12141
Subject(s) - porphyromonas gingivalis , periodontitis , dentistry , medicine , periodontal disease , chronic periodontitis , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , gastroenterology , biology
Aim To determine the levels of LL ‐37 in and its susceptibility to degradation by components of gingival crevicular fluid ( GCF ) in periodontal health and disease. Materials and Methods Levels of LL ‐37 in GCF from periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy subjects were determined by ELISA . In addition, degradation of synthetic/exogenous LL ‐37 by components of GCF in the presence and absence of inhibitors was determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Results The concentration of native LL ‐37 in GCF from Porphyromonas gingivalis positive (Pg+) and P. gingivalis negative (Pg‐) sites in periodontitis patients was significantly higher than in GCF from healthy subjects. When synthetic LL ‐37 was added to healthy GCF , the peptide was not degraded. Conversely, GCF from Pg+ sites rapidly degraded synthetic LL ‐37 which was prevented in the presence of Arg− and Lys− gingipain inhibitors. Synthetic LL ‐37 was degraded more slowly by GCF from Pg− sites. Conclusions LL ‐37 is detectable in GCF in periodontal health and disease. The rapid degradation of synthetic LL ‐37 in periodontitis GCF , particularly in Pg+ sites, limits its role as a potential therapeutic in the gingival crevice. These results highlight the need to design stable peptide mimetics of LL ‐37 as future therapeutics in periodontitis.