Abstract
To determine the localization of various inflammatory interleukins (ILs) in inflamed human gingival tissue, we performed an immunohistochemical study using antibodies against interleukin-1α (IL 1α), interleukin-1β (IL 1β) and interleukin-6 IL 6). We observed IL 1α-positive staining in junctional epithelium, oral sulcular or pocket epithelium and in neutrophils and macrophages infiltrating into the connective tissue just beneath these epithelia lining the inner margin of the gingiva. The positive staining pattern for IL 1β was almost the same as for IL 1α The staining intensity of each IL 1 differed in the epithelia and infiltrating cells in the connective tissue, that is, IL 1α staining was more intense in the epithelia than in the infiltrating cells, whereas IL 1β staining was more intense in the infiltrating cells. Immunoreactivity for IL 6 was detected in plasma cells and cells adjacent to them in addition to cells which were positive for all IL 1 staining. Since these three ILs were exclusively localized in the inner marginal portion of gingiva, where apparent histologic changes occur in periodontitis, they appear to play some role in the initiation and progression of inflammatory periodontal disease.
