Peripheral immune profile of periodontitis patients and reduced expression of CD11b in periodontitis

Abstract Background Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by the complex interaction between plaque microorganisms and the host immune system that threatens oral health. Leukocyte recruitment plays important roles during the protective and pathological immune responses of many diseases, including periodontitis. CD14 and CD11b are adhesion molecules that promote adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium to defend against microorganisms. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the difference between the expression levels of CD14 and CD11b expressed on leukocytes and analyzed subclasses of lymphocytes in individuals with periodontitis compared to healthy individuals. Methods Fourteen periodontitis patients and fourteen healthy individuals were included in the study. Venous blood samples were collected from each individual. T lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry using peripheral blood mononuclear cells stained with anti-CD3, anti-CD4, and anti-CD8 antibodies. Natural killer (NK) cells and Natural killer T (NKT) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using peripheral blood cells stained with anti-CD3, anti-CD16, and anti-CD56 antibodies. The monocyte adhesion molecule CD14 and the common leukocyte adhesion molecule CD11b were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The proportions of NK and NKT cells were significantly higher in periodontitis patients than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05). CD11b expression was significantly lower on monocytes and T lymphocytes in periodontitis patients compared with healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Conclusions Periodontitis is associated with a distinct peripheral immune profile, characterized by reduced CD11b expression on monocytes and T lymphocytes and increased NK and NKT cell frequencies. This reduction in CD11b suggests a possible impairment of leukocyte adhesion-related immune mechanisms, which warrants further functional investigation.