Int J Oral Biol.  2013 Jun;38(2):73-80.

Induction of IL-6 and IL-8 Expression by Leptin Treatment in Periodontal Ligament Cells and Gingival Fibroblasts

• Park HG
• Kim JH
• Cha JH
• Bak EJ
• Yoo YJ

Abstract

Leptin is one of the adipocytokines produced from adipose tissue but its functions in periodontal tissue have not previously been investigated. In our current study, we examined the effects of leptin on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and gingival fibroblasts. Leptin receptor expression was evaluated by RT-PCR and the production of cytokines was measured by ELISA. The phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 was assessed by western blotting. mRNA of long and short form leptin receptors were detected in both PDL cells and gingival fibroblasts. Leptin was found to increase the production of IL-6 and IL-8 in both of these cell types, an effect which was not blocked by polymyxin B, an inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Leptin did not alter the production of IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS in PDL cells but increased Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in these cells. These results suggest that leptin acts as an inducer of IL-6 and IL-8 in PDL cells and gingival fibroblasts.

Keyword

Periodontal ligament cells; Gingival fibroblasts; Leptin; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8

MeSH Terms

Adipokines
Adipose Tissue
Blotting, Western
Cytokines
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Fibroblasts
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Interleukins
Leptin
Periodontal Ligament
Phosphorylation
Polymyxin B
Receptors, Leptin
RNA, Messenger
Adipokines
Cytokines
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Interleukins
Leptin
Polymyxin B
RNA, Messenger
Receptors, Leptin