Interleukin-6 Family of Cytokines in Crevicular Fluid of Renal Transplant Recipients With and Without Cyclosporine A-Induced Gingival Overgrowth

Background: Interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines, including IL-6, oncostatin M (OSM), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and IL-11, have fibrogenic features. The current study determines gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of fibrosis-related IL-6-type cytokines in cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth (GO). Methods: Eighty non-smokers were included (40 CsA-medicated renal transplant patients with GO [GO+; n = 20] or without GO [GO-; n = 20], 20 individuals with gingivitis, and 20 healthy participants). Probing depth and plaque, papilla bleeding, and hyperplastic index scores were recorded. GCF samples were obtained from the mesio-buccal aspects of two teeth. GCF IL-6, IL-1 beta, OSM, LIF, and IL-11 levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The GO+ and GO- groups had higher IL-6 total amounts than the healthy group (P < 0.008). IL-1 beta total amounts in the GO+ group were significantly higher than in both the healthy and GO- groups (P < 0.008). OSM total amount was elevated in the GO+ and GO- groups compared with both the gingivitis and healthy groups (P < 0.008). All groups had similar LIF and IL-11 total amounts (P > 0.008). Moderate positive correlations were detected among IL-6, IL-1 beta, OSM, and IL-11 total amount in GCF and clinical parameters (P < 0.05). Conclusions: IL-6 and OSM increases in GCF as a result of CsA usage or an immunosuppressed state irrespective of the severity of inflammation and the presence of GO. The IL-6 family of cytokines might not be directly involved in biologic mechanisms associated with CsA-induced GO. Lack of an association between assessed IL-6 cytokines and CsA-induced GO might indicate distinct effects of these cytokines on fibrotic changes of different tissues.