Association of interferon lambda-1 with herpes simplex viruses-1 and -2, Epstein-Barr virus, and human cytomegalovirus in chronic periodontitis

Aim: Periodontal tissues facilitate the homing of herpes viruses that elicit the immune-inflammatory response releasing the interferons (IFN). IFN lambda-1 (lambda 1) can suppress the replication of viruses, and induces the antiviral mechanism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between IFN-lambda 1 and periodontal herpes viruses in the immunoregulation of chronic periodontal disease. Methods: The cross-sectional study design included 30 chronic periodontitis patients with a mean age of 42.30 +/- 8.63 years. Gingival crevicular fluid collected was assessed for IFN-lambda 1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and four herpes viruses were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique. IFN-lambda 1 levels were compared between virus-positive and -negative patients for individual and total viruses. Results: Fifty per cent (n = 15) of patients were positive for the four herpes viruses together; 50% (n = 15), 30% (n = 9), 26.7% (n = 8), and 40% (n = 12) were positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, Epstein-Barr virus, HSV-2, and human cytomegalovirus, respectively. The mean concentrations of IFN-lambda 1 in virus-positive patients (14.38 +/- 13.95) were lower than those of virus-negative patients (228.26 +/- 215.35). INF-lambda 1 levels in individual virus groups were also lower in virus-positive patients compared to virus-negative patients, with P < 0.001. Conclusions: These results suggest that IFN-lambda 1 could have antiviral and therapeutic value against the viruses in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis.