Neutrophil receptor modulation in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

The role of the neutrophil as a primary protective cell in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease has been well established. In this paper, the role of receptor modulation on the neutrophil surface is discussed as a possible mechanism for neutrophil functional abnormalities. Using localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) as a model, the direct inhibition of neutrophils by bacterial products is discussed as a possible mechanism for local neutrophil dysfunction. In both disease processes, neutrophil receptor modulation plays a central role.