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Chronic periodontal disease is associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the human TLR-4 gene

Genes & Immunity volume 6, pages 448–451 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the connective tissue surrounding the teeth leading to tooth loss. Pathogens associated with periodontitis interact with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to induce cytokines causing and aggravating disease. We screened 197 individuals suffering from generalized periodontitis for the presence of Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile of TLR-4 as well as Arg753Gln of TLR-2 in comparison to matched controls. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR-4 were elevated among patients (odd's ratio 3.650, 95% CI 1.573–8.467, P⩽0.0001), while no difference was observed for TLR-2. TLR-4 SNPs were correlated with chronic periodontitis (odd's ratio 5.562, 95% CI 2.199–14.04, P⩽0.0001), but not with aggressive periodontitis. This observation was confirmed employing a group of periodontally healthy probands over 60 years of age. These data demonstrate that genetic variants of TLR-4 may act as risk factors for the development of generalized chronic periodontitis in humans.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants given by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) to NWJS and RRS (Schr 726/1–2), and to DK and PP (GRK 325); and by the BMBF to RRS (01KI0104). We hereby state that they do not have any commercial or other association that might pose a conflict of interest. The excellent technical assistance of Fränzi Creutzburg, Sabine Bobbe and Diana Woellner is acknowledged.

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Author notes

  1. N W J Schröder

    Present address: Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, 90048, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    N W J Schröder, D Meister, V Wolff, V Haban, A Moter, U B Göbel & R R Schumann

  2. Private Dental Office, Berlin, Germany

    C Christan

  3. Department of Periodontology and Synoptic Dentistry, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany

    D Kaner & P Purucker

  4. Department of Biology, Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

    C Hermann

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  1. N W J Schröder
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  2. D Meister
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Correspondence to R R Schumann.

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Schröder, N., Meister, D., Wolff, V. et al. Chronic periodontal disease is associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the human TLR-4 gene. Genes Immun 6, 448–451 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gene.6364221

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gene.6364221

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