Human gingival fibroblasts produce nitric oxide in response to proinflammatory cytokines

Authors

Farzaneh Daghigh, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicineFollow
Ruth C. Borghaei, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicineFollow
Ruth D. Thornton, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicineFollow
Joseph H. Bee, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2002

Abstract

Background: Although nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is increased in periodontal disease (PD), little is known about the possible sources of production by gingival tissues. In fact, gingival tissues from patients with periodontitis demonstrate greater levels of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) expression than healthy tissue. Macrophages are the source of the iNOS expression, with endothelial cells also contributing. In the present study, our hypothesis has been that human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) also have the ability to produce NO. We have established for the first time that HGF express increased levels of iNOS and modulate NO synthesis in response to proinflammatory cytokines that act synergistically. Methods: NO production under basal conditions or following incubation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, and inferferon (IFN)-y was assessed by measurement of stable NO metabolites, nitrite, and nitrate, in a microplate adaptation of the Griess assay. Total RNA was isolated from HGF for determination of iNOS mRNA levels. Results: We have shown that NO production is elevated in HGF that are stimulated simultaneously by TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IFN-y. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the production of iNOS mRNA by HGF is upregulated in the presence of these cytokines. Addition of mercaptoethyl guanidine (MEG), a specific inhibitor of iNOS, profoundly reduced the production of NO in HGF. Non specific inhibitors of iNOS, L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), and L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) had little or no effect on NO produced in HGF. Conclusions: These results suggest that elevated NO production could be important in the pathogenesis of PD, and also suggest the ability of an iNOS inhibitor to modulate the disease. Treatments with drugs to block the production of nitric oxide or block its effects might be therapeutically valuable.

Publication Title

Journal of periodontology

Volume

73

Issue

4

First Page

392

Last Page

400

Comments

This article was published in Journal of periodontology, Volume 73, Issue 4, Pages 392-400.

Copyright © 2002 American Academy of Periodontology.

Recommended Citation

Daghigh, Farzaneh; Borghaei, Ruth C.; Thornton, Ruth D.; and Bee, Joseph H., "Human gingival fibroblasts produce nitric oxide in response to proinflammatory cytokines" (2002). PCOM Scholarly Works. 1033.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/scholarly_papers/1033