Levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae and inflammatory cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid from adult human subjects

The Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae level was examined in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from adult human subjects using an immunoblot assay with a monoclonal antibody. The cytokines, interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in the GCF were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reactivity of the GCF samples with the monoclonal antibody against P. gingivalis fimbriae was related to the IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. Moreover, the fimbriae content was associated with the gingival index (GI). In contrast, no significant correlation was seen between the fimbriae content and IL-1 alpha level. These results suggest that there are possible associations between P. gingivalis fimbriae and IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the gingival crevicular fluid.