RESUMO
Although periodontitis is one of the commonest infectious inflammatory diseases in humans, the mechanisms involved with its immunopathology remain ill understood. Numerous molecules may induce inflammation and lead to bone resorption, secondary to activation of monocytes into osteoclasts. TACE (TNF-α converting enzyme) and DC-STAMP (dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein) appear to play a role on bone resorption since TACE induces the release of sRANKL (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-ß ligand) whereas DC-STAMP is a key factor in osteoclast induction. The present study evaluated the levels of TACE and DC-STAMP in patients with and without periodontitis. Twenty individuals were selected: 10 periodontally healthy participants undergoing gingivectomy for esthetic reasons and 10 diagnosed with periodontitis. Protein levels of such molecules in gingival tissue were established using Western blotting. Protein levels of both TACE and DC-STAMP were higher in the periodontitis group than in the control group (p<0.05; Student t-test). In conclusion, TACE and DC-STAMP protein levels are elevated in patients with periodontitis, favoring progression of bone resorption.