The Th1/Th2 immune-type response of the recurrent aphthous ulceration analyzed by cDNA microarray

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 140 - 146
• Main Authors: Borra, R. C., Andrade, P. M., Silva, I. D. C. G., Morgun, A., Weckx, L. L. M., Smirnova, A. S., Franco, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.03.2004; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; aphthae; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; cDNA microarray; Dentistry; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Female; Gene Expression; gene expression analysis; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; oral tolerance; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; RAU; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Stomatitis, Aphthous - genetics; Stomatitis, Aphthous - immunology; Th1; Th1 Cells - immunology; Th2; Th2 Cells - immunology; Human; Relapse; Immune response; gene expression analysis; Stomatology; RAU; Th1 lymphocyte; cDNA microarray; Aphta; Complementary DNA; oral tolerance; T-Lymphocyte; Oral cavity disease; Th2 lymphocyte; aphthae; Ulceration; Th1/ Th2
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0904-2512.2004.00089.x

Background:  The reduced ability to activate oral tolerance plays a role in the pathogenesis of some gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. This activation may reflect a preferential reduction of a T‐helper (Th)2‐ or Th3‐type response. In recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU), genetic and environmental factors may contribute to low tolerance, permitting a cytotoxic reaction against the oral epithelium. The cytokine profile has not permitted the definition of RAU as resulting from enhanced Th1 or Th2 responses. A cDNA microarray study would allow the identification of differentially expressed genes and provide a basis for classification of the immune response. Methods:  The cDNA from 29 samples of aphthae and from 11 samples of normal mucosa from aphthae‐free volunteers were hybridized on microarray membranes with 1176 genes. Results:  Forty‐one differentially expressed genes were identified, and a higher expression level of the Th1 gene cluster in RAU was found. Conclusions:  Microarrays permitted us definition of the gene expression profile of the lesion and identify an increased Th1 activity in RAU lesions.