A novel method for the detection of TNF-alpha in gingival crevicular fluid.

This paper reviews results on the cytokine TNF and its role as a mediator in the pathway leading from bacteria to tissue destruction. Also reviewed is the immunoadsorption-magnetic separation technology used for the capture of TNF from the sulcus and the cluster assay used for quantification of the bead-bound TNF. A comparison of the results obtained with this technique revealed recovery of TNF in a higher percent of sites than when using the paper strips. Furthermore, the cluster assay was found to be as sensitive as the ELISA. Finally, TNF values in crevicular fluid were compared to TNF in other body fluids. The recovery of TNF at aseptic sites suggests that TNF production might be initiated by factors other than bacteria, and therefore that, through their ability to initiate TNF production, other processes might be responsible for the tissue destruction of periodontitis.