Cytokine secretion in cultured human gingival fibroblasts in response to LPS or gingival overgrowth-inducing drugs

Human normal, periodontitis and overgrown gingival fibroblasts were assayed concerning proinflammatory cytokines secreting ability. Stimulating effect of gingival overgrowth-inducing drugs such as phenytoin, nifedipine or cyclosporine A and LPS on the secretion ability of each fibroblast specimen was also estimated. The supernatant of cultured medium was assayed cytokines by ELISA techniques. IL-1B was not detected in any fibroblast specimen. Secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 were similar among the gingival specimens. Secretion of TGF-β was the most dominant among the cytokines in any gingival fibroblast. The largest amount of TGF-Β was observed in overgrown gingival fibroblast. LPS stimulated the secretion of IL-6, IL-8 except of TGF-β. Phenytoin, nifedipine, cyclosporin A stimulated TGF-β secretion about 2 times of baseline in only normal gingival fibroblast. These results suggest that these drugs participate in the gingival overgrowth by secreting TGF-β.