Fathoming the Role of Host Defence Peptides in Periodontal Health and Disease

Abstract

The periodontal epithelium neighbouring the tooth is precise to form a seal and attachment around the tooth. This function is challenged by development of bacterial biofilm and the host response to biofilm bacteria and their toxins leading to certain vulnerabilities allied with periodontal disease. Oral epithelial cells counters the microbial challenges from dental plaque by the production of host defence peptides (HDP's), chemokines and cytokines that boost inflammation and immune response of periodontal tissues. Host defence peptides are diverse group of biologically active molecules with multidimensional properties. Besides their direct antimicrobial function, they have multiple roles as mediators of inflammation with impact on epithelial and inflammatory cells influencing diverse processes such as cytokine release, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, wound healing, chemotaxis, immune induction, and protease-antiprotease balance. In the oral cavity, the HDPs are produced by the salivary glands and the oral epithelium and they are Defensins and Cathelicidin. This mini review summarizes the current understanding of various oral host defence peptides involved in maintaining balance between periodontal health and disease.