Methods: Fibroblasts from four types of periodontal tissue were cultured until cell confluence: (A) healthy periodontal tissue from periodontitis- free individuals; (B) healthy periodontal tissue; (C) infected pocket periodontal tissue; and (D) granulation tissue from the same area of C. Periodontal tissue from B, C and D were obtained from individuals with chronic advanced periodontitis. Fibroblasts were incubated in medium containing IL-1, TNF-α and INF-γ and labeled with 35S-methionine. Newly formed proteins were identified by immunoprecipitation followed by SDS-PAGE. Eight different proteins were sequentially immunoprecipitated and identified: B factor, H factor, C3, C1-r, C1-s, C1-I, IL-1 and IL-6.
Results: Newly formed IL-1, IL-6 and Complement proteins, were detected in all tissues in the constitutive state. A distinct effect of all three cytokines was demonstrated.
Conclusions: Local periodontal fibroblasts produce Complement components and Cytokines that may play a dominant role in periodontal disease.