Humoral Immunity to Stress Proteins and Periodontal Disease

Background: There is evidence that microbial heat shock (stress) proteins (Hsp) are immunodominant antigens of many microorganisms. Immunity to these proteins has been shown in non‐oral infections to contribute to protection. This study was undertaken to assess the relationship(s) between immunity to human and microbial heat shock proteins, periodontal disease status, and colonization by periodontal disease‐associated microorganisms. Methods: Subgingival plaque and blood samples obtained from 198 patients during an earlier clinical study were examined for the presence of specific periodontal disease‐associated microorganisms and antibodies to selected human and microbial heat shock proteins (Hsp70, Hsp90, DnaK, and GroEL). Particle concentration immunofluorescence assay (PCFIA) was used to detect anti‐Hsp antibodies and slot immunoblot assay (SIB) was used to detect subgingival plaque species. Regression models were used to examine the contribution of age, gender, gingival index, probing depth, attachment loss, calculus index, plaque index, and microbial colonization to the anti‐Hsp antibody concentrations. Results: Our studies demonstrated that, when evaluated by ANOVA, patients with higher anti‐Hsp (Hsp90, DnaK, and GroEL) antibody concentrations tended to have significantly (P ≤0.05) healthier periodontal tissues. This was most obvious when the relationship between mean probing depths and antibody concentrations were studied. For Hsp90 antibodies, 2 variables (probing depth and P. gingivalis concentration) were found to have significant contributions (R = 0.293, P