Characterization of fibronectin and fibrin(ogen) fragments in gingival crevicular fluid.

A total of 49 crevicular fluid (CF) samples were collected with paper strips from 12 healthy adults. Each sample was eluted into sterile saline and two aliquots were drawn for SDS-PAGE, one for fibronectin and one for fibrin analysis. Peptides were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and fibronectin and fibrin were detected using specific antibodies. The relative amounts of different molecular forms of fibronectin and fibrin were analyzed using a laser densitometer. After the sample collection, Plaque Index, Papilla Bleeding Index and pocket depth were measured. Bone loss was estimated from the orthopanthomograms. Fibronectin fragments were seen in all CF samples. Intact fibronectin was seen in 21 samples, of which 76% were collected from periodontitis-affected sites. There was a positive correlation between the proportion of intact fibronectin and the clinical parameters. Intact fibrin and fibrin fragments were seen in all samples. Fibrin-positive material with larger molecular weight than intact fibrin was also seen in all samples. A negative correlation was found between the proportion of intact fibrin and the clinical parameters. There was no correlation between total amounts and concentrations of fibronectin and fibrin. Molecular forms of fibronectin and fibrin may affect the pathogenesis and healing of periodontal diseases, since the biologic effects of the fragments of these molecules differ from those of the intact molecules.