Characterization of Acidic Mammalian Chitinase as a Novel Biomarker for Severe Periodontitis (Stage III/IV): A Pilot Study

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by gingival infection, periodontal pocket formation, and alveolar bone loss. Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase), an active chitinase enzyme, increased its expression under severe inflammation and related systemic disorders. However, AMCase expression and molecular mechanism in periodontal inflammation, have not been elucidated yet. This study was aimed to characterize AMCase in severe periodontitis patients compare to those in periodontally healthy subjects. In total, 15 periodontally healthy subjects and 15 severe (stage III/IV) periodontitis patients were enrolled with their informed consent. Tissue samples were collected and analyzed using Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). AMCase protein expressions in periodontal patients were significantly more increased than those of periodontally healthy individuals. ELISA resulted in median values (first quartile to third quartile) of the periodontally healthy group 0.654 ng/mL (range, 0.644−0.827 ng/mL) and the periodontitis group 0.965 ng/mL (range, 0.886−1.165 ng/mL). AMCase was expressed significantly higher levels in periodontitis patients than in periodontally healthy individuals (p < 0.05). This suggests that AMCase may play a potential role as a biomarker for the screening and early diagnosis of severe periodontitis.