H2S mediates increased interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 production in leukocytes from patients with periodontitis

ABSTRACTBackground: The mechanisms involved in the interplay between the bacteria and the host cells in periodontitis are not fully understood.Aim: To investigate the effect of the bacterial metabolite H2S on the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 from periodontitis patients and healthy controls, and to evaluate the composition of the subgingival microbiota with its capacity to produce H2S.Methods: Subgingival bacterial samples from patients with periodontitis (N=32) and healthy controls (N=32) were investigated for H2S production and bacterial composition. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured in the presence/absence of 1mM H2S for 24h and cytokine concentrations were measured.Results: Subgingival plaque from periodontitis patients had more H2S producing bacteria and produced more H2S, than healthy controls. PBMCs exposed to H2S secreted significantly more IL-1s and IL-18 (p<0.0001) than untreated control PBMCs from both groups. PBMCs from the periodontitis patien...