OBJECTIVEThis study investigates the immune status of T helper (Th) 17 cells in mice with periodontitis.

METHODSSeven-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into the control and periodontitis groups. Each group comprisedfour mice. Experimental periodontitis was induced in mice by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis in the periodontitis group. Phosphate-buffered saline solution was used in the control group. All mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after the last P. gingivalis infection. CD4⁺retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR) γτ⁺(Th17) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression of Th17 cell-related cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA).

RESULTSFlow cytometry showed that the percentage of CD4⁺RORγτ⁺(Thl7) cells in all CD4⁺ cells and the cell number in gingival tissues, cervical lymph nodes (CLNs), and the peripheral blood obviously increased (P < 0.01) in the periodontitis group. ELISA showed that compared with the control group, the periodontitis group exhibited an obvious increase in the protein expression of IL-17A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTh17 cell-mediated cell response is enhanced, and the gingival tissues, CLNs, and the peripheral blood are probably the main locations of Thl7 cell-mediated cell response during the development of periodontitis.