In Vitro Effects of Polyamines on Polymorphonuclear Cell Apoptosis and Implications in the Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease

Abstract

Apoptosis provides a mechanism for clearance of unwanted cells in a variety of situations in which programmed or physiological cell death occurs; but the premature death of defensive cells could promote infection, inflammation and concomitant diseases. Polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) of gingival sulcus play an important role in host defense against periodontal tissue‐invading bacteria, but their phagocytic activity is conditioned by several virulence factors released by oral pathogens. Polyamines derived from oral bacteria frequently occur at concentrations approaching 1 mM in gingival fluid at diseased periodontal sites. Brief exposure of PMN to polyamines shortened the lag culture time required to observe microscopical or DNA fragmentation traces. Increase of Fas/Apo‐1 expression and caspase‐8 and caspase‐3 activation focused two typical steps in the pathway of the pro‐apoptotic mechanism exhibited by polyamines, even if to a different extent: spermine > spermidine > putrescine. The possible role played by polyamines in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease by dysregulating apoptosis of gingival PMN is discussed.

Key Words :

• Spermine
• Spermidine
• Putrescine
• PMN
• Apoptosis
• Periodontal tissue