LAUSR

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-1β, TNF-α, 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-1β, TNF-α, 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-1β, and RANKL, as well as mRNA levels of TNF-α, 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.