Eosinophil Cationic Protein and Histamine Production by Neutrophils from Periodontitis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis develops through an inflammatory process caused by an infection at the microbial biofilm, followed by tissue destruction mediated by leucocytes which clinically cause significant destruction of connective tissue and bone. Several elements derived from the bacteria cause the inflammatory response and the release of mediators involved in the destruction of the periodontium. There are number of inflammatory mediators released by leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, upon bacterial challenge. However, neutrophil-derived histamine and Eosinophil Cationin Protein production and their role has not been characterized in periodontal inflammation. We previously found that neutrophils produce and release Eosinophil Cationic Protein and histamine, two important inflammatory mediators previously described in the periodontitis disease. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether neutrophils from periodontitis patients are able to produce Eosinophil Cationic protein and histamine in response to Lipopolysaccharides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed ECP and histamine production in response to LPS by ELISA. We also analyzed the expression of the Histidine decarboxylase and ECP by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy in neutrophils from periodontitis patients in response to LPS.

RESULTS: We found that neutrophils from periodontitis patients express higher levels of histidine decarboxylase and ECP than those from healthy volunteers, and they also release higher levels of histamine.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings described could represent new knowledge of neutrophils as source of histamine and ECP in the progression of the periodontitis disease.