Expression of activated transcription factor nuclear factor-κB in periodontally diseased tissues

Abstract

Background: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease found mainly in adults. Little is known about molecular level changes associated with host response in this condition. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor implicated in immune and inflammatory responses. NF-κB activation has also been reported to be associated with many chronic inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this paper was to compare the nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB transcription factor (p50/p65) and cytoplasmic expression of IκB in periodontal tissues of periodontitis patients and controls. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Gingival tissues taken during extraction were processed for immunohistochemical staining and evaluation. Results: Nuclear (activated) p50 was found in 90% of periodontal patient tissues compared to only 30% of healthy tissues. A more significant result was obtained with p65 (75% versus 5%). Intense cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was also observed in periodontitis tissues. IκB, the inhibitor of NF-κB, was expressed only in 5% of periodontally diseased tissues. Conclusion: Activation of NF-κB (p50/p65) is significant in periodontally diseased tissues, suggesting the potential of inhibitors of NF-κB in managing periodontitis.