Anti−Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies and Autoantibodies to Human Heat Shock Protein 60 in Periodontitis Patients Autoprzeciwciała dla antygenów cytoplazmatycznych neutrofili oraz ludzkiego białka szoku termicznego 60 u pacjentów z zapaleniem przyzębia

Background. The autoimmune response may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Changing levels of anti−neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCAs) are serologic markers for many infective and connective tis− sue diseases. Hsp 60 may also be an important factor in the initiation of an autoimmune response. Objectives. Investigating the presence of ANCAs (p−ANCA to myeloperoxidase and c−ANCA to proteinase 3) and antibodies to human heat shock protein 60 (Hsp 60) in the sera of 73 patients with periodontitis and 13 control subjects. Material and Methods. The study group consisted of 73 patients aged 19–50 years: 31 with generalized aggres− sive periodontitis, 13 with localized aggressive periodontitis, and 29 with chronic periodontitis. The control group comprised 13 periodontally healthy subjects. The serum levels of p−ANCA, c−ANCA, and anti−Hsp 60 were detect− ed by ELISA in each subject. Results. Elevated levels of p−ANCA were demonstrated only in five patients with generalized aggressive periodon− titis. Elevated levels of antibodies to Hsp 60 were found only in 12.9% of patients with generalized aggressive peri− odontitis, 7.6% of patients with localized aggressive periodontitis, and 13.7% of patients with chronic periodontits. Conclusions. There was no relationship between the significantly elevated levels of p−ANCA and antibodies to Hsp 60 and clinical measurements of periodontitis. These results do not support evidence for a primary role of autoimmunity in periodontal disease. It seems probable that the destruction of periodontal tissues may sometimes be the primary driving factor in the induction of the enhanced autoimmune response in periodontitis (Adv Clin Exp Med 2006, 15, 4, 599–605).