Evidence for polymorphonuclear leukocyte collagenase and 92-kilodalton gelatinase in gingival crevicular fluid.

Analysis of inflammatory exudate collected from sites of experimental periodontitis in cynomolgus monkeys has revealed the presence of collagenase and a 92-kDa gelatinase that comigrated after electrophoresis with the 92-kDa gelatinase released from polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Since neutralizing antibodies to fibroblast collagenase had no effect on the collagenase activity and bacterial collagenases could not be detected, polymorphonuclear leukocytes appear to be the major source of collagenolytic proteinases in inflammatory fluid from gingiva.