Effect of Adiponectin on the Expression of Selected Cytokines in Periodontal Ligament Cells

Periodontitis is a disease caused by a bacterial infection that causes chronic inflammation. The pathogenesis of periodontitis is mediated by several mediators, including chemokines, cytokines, metalloproteinases, and adipokines. Adiponectin is an adipokine that influences several metabolic processes and numerous immunological processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of adiponectin on the expression in the periodontal ligament of selected cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) were stimulated with adiponectin and then analyzed for expression (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-18) in cell cultures at the mRNA level and in supernatants at the protein level. The samples were analyzed after 12, 24, and 48 h of adiponectin stimulation. We found no significant effect of adipokine on TNF-α gene expression after 12, 24, and 48 h of stimulation. For IL-1, a statistically significant increase in IL-1 gene expression was found after 12 h of adiponectin stimulation, while the differences were not statistically significant after 24 and 48 h. Adiponectin caused a statistically significant increase in IL-6 gene expression after 12, 24, and 48 h of stimulation. Stimulating periodontal ligament cells with adiponectin significantly increased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 protein levels in supernatants after 12, 24, and 48 h. The levels of IL-1 were statistically significantly increased after 12 and 24 h of adiponectin stimulation. There was no statistically significant effect of adiponectin on IL-10, IL-17, and IL-18 levels. The results of our study suggest that adiponectin may significantly increase the expression of selected cytokines in periodontal ligament cells.