Evaluation of interleukin-10 producing CD19+ B cells in human gingival tissue

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate IL-10 producing CD19(+) B cells and to examine the correlation between these cells and the expression levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, RANKL, and IL-10 cytokines in the gingival tissues of individuals with and without chronic periodontitis. Design: Data were obtained from 20 patients with chronic periodontitis and 10 healthy controls. The gingival samples were analyzed by immunofluorescence, while real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to determine cytokine levels. Results: The number of IL-10 producing CD19(+) B cells and the expression levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the inflamed gingival tissues than in the healthy tissues. A positive correlation between the expression levels of IL-10 and the number of IL-10 producing CD19(+) B cells were observed. IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and RANKL expression levels were significantly elevated in diseased gingivae compared to healthy tissues, and there was a positive correlation between the expression levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines and the number of IL-10 producing CD19(+) B cells. Conclusion: While IL-10 producing CD19(+) B cells are present in the gingival tissues of patients with periodontal disease and of those with a healthy periodontium, the diseased gingival tissues had a much greater number of these cells than the healthy. The mRNA and protein levels of IL-10, IL-1 beta, and RANKL, as well as mRNA levels of TNF-a, were positively correlated with the number of IL-10 producing CD19(+) B cells, which highlights the importance of these factors in the development and progression of periodontitis.