IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), where CD (Crohn's disease) and UC (ulcerative colitis) represent the two main forms, are chronic inflammatory conditions of the intestine. Macrophages play a central role in IBD pathogenesis and are regulated by major differentiation factors such as CSF-1 (colony-stimulating factor 1) in homoeostasis and inflammation. IL (interleukin)-34 has recently been discovered as a second ligand for CSF-1R (CSF-1 receptor). However, expression and involvement of IL-34 in IBD remain unknown. In the present paper, we investigated the expression of IL34, CSF1 and their shared receptor CSF1R in normal human ileum and colon, in inflamed and non-inflamed tissues of CD and UC patients, and in a mouse model of experimental colitis. We found distinct expression patterns of IL34 and CSF1 in ileum and colon, with higher IL34 in ileum and, in contrast, higher CSF1 in colon. Furthermore, IL34 and CSF1 expression was increased with inflammation in IBD patients and in experimental colitis. In humans, infiltrating cells of the lamina propria and intestinal epithelial cells expressed IL-34, and TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor α) regulated IL-34 expression in intestinal epithelial cells through the NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) pathway. These data demonstrate the expression pattern of IL-34 in ileum and colon and suggest IL-34 as a new modulator of inflammation in IBD.

Interleukin-34 (IL-34) is a recently discovered cytokine functionally overlapping macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), a mediator of inflammation and osteoclastogenesis in bone-degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of this study was to assess the expression of IL-34 in human gingival fibroblasts and investigate if the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1Β (IL-1β) modulate its expression, and moreover if IL-34 could contribute to recruitment of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. IL-34 expression was evaluated in gingival fibroblasts by real time PCR following stimulation by TNF-α, IL-1β, and treatment with inhibitors of intracellular pathways. The formation of osteoclasts was evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining of bone marrow macrophages treated with IL-34 or M-CSF in addition to receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). IL-34 was expressed in gingival fibroblasts. The expression was enhanced by TNF-α and IL-1β, regulated by the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κΒ) and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Further, IL-34 supports RANKL-induced osteoclastogensis of bone marrow macrophages, independently of M-CSF. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time IL-34 expression in human gingival fibroblasts, stimulated by TNF-α and IL-1β, key mediators of periodontal inflammation. Furthermore, IL-34 can be substituted for M-CSF in RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. IL-34 may contribute to inflammation and osteoclastogenesis in bone-degenerative diseases such as periodontitis.

Analysis of saliva is emerging as a promising tool to diagnose and monitor diseases which makes determination of the salivary microbial profile in different scenarios essential. To evaluate the effects of age, periodontal disease, sex, smoking, and medical conditions on the salivary microbial profile. A randomly selected sample of 441 individuals was enrolled (51% women; mean age 48.5±16.8). Participants answered a health questionnaire and underwent an oral examination. Stimulated saliva was collected and the counts of 41 bacteria were determined by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Elderly participants (> 64 years old) presented a significant increase in 24 out of 41 bacterial species compared to adults (≤ 64 years old). Eubacterium nodatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia were significantly higher in participants with generalized bone loss compared to without. Males and non-smokers had higher bacteria counts in saliva. Individuals having mental disorders or muscle and joint diseases showed significantly altered microbial profiles whereas small or no differences were found for subjects with high blood pressure, heart disease, previous heart surgery, bowel disease, tumors, or diabetes. Age, periodontal status, sex, smoking, and certain medical conditions namely, mental disorders and muscle and joint diseases, might affect the microbial profile in saliva.

S100A12 is a calcium-binding protein of the S100 subfamily of myeloid-related proteins that acts as an alarmin to induce a pro-inflammatory innate immune response. It has been linked to several chronic inflammatory diseases, however its role in the common oral immunopathology periodontitis is largely unknown. Previous in vitro monoculture experiments indicate that S100A12 production decreases during monocyte differentiation stages, while the regulation within tissue is poorly defined. This study evaluated S100A12 expression in monocyte subsets, during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and following polarization, both in monoculture and in a tissue context, utilizing a three-dimensional co-culture oral tissue model. Further, we explored the involvement of S100A12 in periodontitis by analyzing its expression in peripheral circulation and gingival tissue, as well as in saliva. We found that S100A12 expression was higher in classical than in non-classical monocytes. S100A12 expression and protein secretion declined significantly during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation, while polarization of monocyte-derived macrophages had no effect on either. Peripheral monocytes from periodontitis patients had higher S100A12 expression than monocytes from controls, a difference particularly observed in the intermediate and non-classical monocyte subsets. Further, monocytes from periodontitis patients displayed an increased secretion of S100A12 compared with monocytes from controls. In oral tissue cultures, monocyte differentiation resulted in increased S100A12 secretion over time, which further increased after inflammatory stimuli. Likewise, S100A12 expression was higher in gingival tissue from periodontitis patients where monocyte-derived cells exhibited higher expression of S100A12 in comparison to non-periodontitis tissue. In line with our findings, patients with severe periodontitis had significantly higher levels of S100A12 in saliva compared to non-periodontitis patients, and the levels correlated to clinical periodontal parameters. Taken together, S100A12 is predominantly secreted by monocytes rather than by monocyte-derived cells. Moreover, S100A12 is increased in inflamed tissue cultures, potentially as a result of enhanced production by monocyte-derived cells. This study implicates the involvement of S100A12 in periodontitis pathogenesis, as evidenced by increased S100A12 expression in inflamed gingival tissue, which may be due to altered circulatory monocytes in periodontitis.

Background: Host inflammatory and immune responses play an important role in aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Thus, this study aims to evaluate levels of the innate immunity‐related markers calprotectin, colony‐stimulating factor (CSF)‐1, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), monokine induced by interferon‐γ (MIG), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 in serum and saliva from patients with generalized AgP and those with gingivitis or a healthy periodontium.Methods: This study enrolled 40 individuals (17 males and 23 females; mean age 33.30 ± 9.31 years), 15 with generalized AgP, 15 with gingivitis, and 10 who were periodontally healthy. Full‐mouth periodontal examinations were performed, and serum and saliva were collected. Levels of calprotectin, CSF‐1, MIF, MIG, and MMP‐8 were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.Results: In serum, mean levels of calprotectin were 2.06‐fold higher in patients with AgP than in healthy patients (P = 0.01). Serum levels of MMP‐8 were significantly elevated in patients with AgP compared with both healthy patients and those with gingivitis, by 2.60‐fold and 2.77‐fold, respectively (P = 0.03 and P = 0.009, respectively). In saliva, levels of MMP‐8 were 5.66‐fold higher in patients with AgP than in healthy patients (P = 0.02). CSF‐1, MIF, and MIG levels in both serum and saliva did not differ significantly among the groups.Conclusions: Serum levels of calprotectin and MMP‐8 are elevated in patients with AgP. MMP‐8 levels are also increased in saliva from patients with AgP. These results support involvement of innate immune response in the pathogenesis of AgP.