Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Unit of Molecular Pathology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, 20138 Milan, Italy.
Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Oct 19;24(20):15370. doi: 10.3390/ijms242015370.
Neutrophils represent the primary defense against microbial threats playing a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. This review examines the multifaceted involvement of neutrophils in periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of teeth summarizing the contribution of neutrophil dysfunction in periodontitis and periodontal-related comorbidities. Periodontitis, a pathological condition promoted by dysbiosis of the oral microbiota, is characterized by the chronic inflammation of the gingiva and subsequent tissue destruction. Neutrophils are among the first immune cells recruited to the site of infection, releasing antimicrobial peptides, enzymes, and reactive oxygen species to eliminate pathogens. The persistent inflammatory state in periodontitis can lead to aberrant neutrophil activation and a sustained release of proinflammatory mediators, finally resulting in tissue damage, bone resorption, and disease progression. Growing evidence now points to the correlation between periodontitis and systemic comorbidities. Indeed, the release of inflammatory mediators, immune complexes, and oxidative stress by neutrophils, bridge the gap between local and systemic immunity, thus highlighting neutrophils as key players in linking periodontal inflammation to chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis. This review underscores the crucial role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and the complex link between neutrophil dysfunction, local inflammation, and systemic comorbidities. A comprehensive understanding of neutrophil contribution to periodontitis development and their impact on periodontal comorbidities holds significant implications for the management of oral health. Furthermore, it highlights the need for the development of novel approaches aimed at limiting the persistent recruitment and activation of neutrophils, also reducing the impact of periodontal inflammation on broader health contexts, offering promising avenues for improved disease management and patient care.
中性粒细胞是抵御微生物威胁的主要防御细胞，在维持组织稳态方面发挥着关键作用。本文综述了中性粒细胞在牙周炎中的多方面作用，牙周炎是一种影响牙齿支持结构的慢性炎症性疾病，总结了中性粒细胞功能障碍在牙周炎和牙周相关合并症中的作用。牙周炎是一种由口腔微生物群落失调引起的病理状态，其特征是牙龈的慢性炎症和随后的组织破坏。中性粒细胞是最早被招募到感染部位的免疫细胞之一，释放抗菌肽、酶和活性氧物质来消灭病原体。牙周炎中的持续炎症状态可导致中性粒细胞异常激活和促炎介质的持续释放，最终导致组织损伤、骨质吸收和疾病进展。越来越多的证据表明牙周炎与系统性合并症之间存在相关性。事实上，中性粒细胞释放的炎症介质、免疫复合物和氧化应激物质，在局部和全身免疫之间架起了桥梁，因此突出了中性粒细胞作为连接牙周炎炎症与慢性疾病（包括心血管疾病、糖尿病和类风湿性关节炎）的关键因素。本文强调了中性粒细胞在牙周炎发病机制中的关键作用以及中性粒细胞功能障碍、局部炎症和系统性合并症之间的复杂联系。全面了解中性粒细胞对牙周炎发展的贡献及其对牙周合并症的影响，对口腔健康管理具有重要意义。此外，它还强调了需要开发新方法来限制中性粒细胞的持续募集和激活，从而减少牙周炎炎症对更广泛健康背景的影响，为改善疾病管理和患者护理提供了有前途的途径。
