Gingival Crevicular Fluid Biomarkers During Periodontitis Progression and After Periodontal Treatment

J Clin Periodontol. 2025 Jan;52(1):40-55. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.14061. Epub 2024 Sep 15.

Abstract

Objective: To identify gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)-derived inflammatory markers of periodontitis progression and periodontal treatment impact.

Methods: Periodontally healthy (H; n = 112) and periodontitis (P; n = 302) patients were monitored bi-monthly for 1 year without therapy. Periodontitis patients were re-examined 6 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Levels of 64 biomarkers were measured in the GCF samples collected at each visit from progressing (n = 12 sites in H; n = 76 in P) and stable (n = 100 in H, n = 225 in P) sites. Clinical parameters and log-transformed analyte levels were averaged within clinical groups at each time point and analysed using linear mixed models.

Results: During monitoring, progressing sites had significantly higher levels of IL-1β, MMP-8, IL-12p40, EGF and VEGF. MMP-9 and Periostin were significantly more elevated in stable sites. Distinct cytokine profiles were observed based on baseline PD. Treatment led to significant reductions in Eotaxin, Flt-3L, GDF-15, GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-17, MIP-1d, RANTES and sCD40L, and increases in IP-10 and MMP-9.

Conclusion: Distinct cytokine signatures observed in stable and progressing sites were maintained over time in the absence of treatment and significantly affected by NSPT.

Keywords: immunology; pathogenesis; periodontal diseases; therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers* / analysis
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules* / analysis
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dental Scaling
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Gingival Crevicular Fluid* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / analysis
  • Interleukin-1beta / analysis
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 8* / analysis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 8* / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* / analysis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodontitis* / metabolism
  • Periodontitis* / therapy
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A* / analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A* / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 8
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • POSTN protein, human
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
  • Cytokines
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • MMP8 protein, human
  • MMP9 protein, human