Protective and Destructive Immunity in the Periodontium: Part 1--innate and Humoral Immunity and the Periodontium

Based on the results of recent research in the field, the present paper will discuss the protective and destructive aspects of the innate vs. adaptive (humoral and cell-mediated) immunity associated with the bacterial virulent factors or antigenic determinants during periodontal pathogenesis. Attention will be focused on: (i) the Toll-like receptors (TLR), the innate immune repertoire for recognizing the unique molecular patterns of microbial components that trigger innate and adaptive immunity for effective host defenses, in some general non-oral vs. periodontal microbial infections; (ii) T-cell-mediated immunity, Th-cytokines, and osteoclastogenesis in periodontal disease progression; and (iii) some molecular techniques developed and used to identify critical microbial virulence factors or antigens associated with host immunity (using Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis as the model species). Therefore, further understanding of the molecular interactions and mechanisms associated with the host's innate and adaptive immune responses will facilitate the development of new and innovative therapeutics for future periodontal treatments.