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

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-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a transcription factor implicated in immune and inflammatory responses. NF-kappa B 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-kappa B transcription factor (p50/p65) and cytoplasmic expression of licB 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. licB, the inhibitor of NF-kappa B, was expressed only in 5% of periodontally diseased tissues. Conclusion: Activation of NF-kappa B (p50/p65) is significant in periodontally diseased tissues, suggesting the potential of inhibitors of NF-kappa B in managing periodontitis.