%0 Journal Article
%T The expression of NLRP3, NLRP1 and AIM2 in the gingival tissue of periodontitis patients: RT-PCR study and immunohistochemistry.
%A Xue F
%A Shu R
%A Xie Y
%J Arch Oral Biol
%V 60
%N 6
%D Jun 2015
%M 25841070
%F 2.64
%R 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2015.03.005
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Detecting the distribution and intensity of NLRP3, NLRP1 and AIM2 expression in different types of periodontitis gingival tissues.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A total of 65 gingival tissues were collected from clinic and been divided into three groups: patients with chronic periodontitis (CP), patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (G-AgP) and healthy control subjects. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect mRNA expression of NLRP3, NLRP1 and AIM2 in full-thickness tissue. In the meanwhile, immunohistochemistry was used to detect distribution of NLRP3, NLRP1 and AIM2 in the periodontal epithelium and in the connective tissue cells.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The overall intensity of NLRP3 expression was significantly higher in CP or G-AgP than healthy tissue. A more significant difference was observed in the periodontal epithelium layer. NLRP1 was barely expressed in the healthy and periodontitis gingival tissues, whereas AIM2 was expressed at a higher level in the chronic periodontitis group than others.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The NLRP3, NLRP1 and AIM2 proteins were differentially expressed in gingival tissues from patients with CP and G-AgP and may play vital roles in the progression of periodontal inflammation to different degrees. Our studies may provide a new direction for personalized periodontal treatment.