(PO66) Profiling of Inflammatory Cytokines in External Cervical Resorption

Abstract:
The etiology of external cervical resorption (ECR) is poorly understood. This pilot study aimed to profile inflammatory cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from ECR-affected teeth. Consented patients (IRB #21-2741) with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of ECR were planned for extraction or root canal treatment and resorption repair. Patients undergoing restorative treatment were recalled at 3 months. ECR severity was classified. GCF was collected using PerioPaper® strips and quantified using a Periotron 8010 Micro Moisture Meter. A Luminex multiplex immunoassay panel quantified inflammatory cytokines following protein elution, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze data. All ECR lesions (n=3) were apical to the bone crest and extended into the root's coronal third, had circumferential spread ≤180°, and probable pulpal involvement. The immunoassay found IL-8, chemotactic for neutrophils, basophils, and T-cells, and IL-6, known to have a pleiotropic effect on inflammation, were expressed at greater levels in diseased teeth than control teeth (p > 0.05). IL-10, an inhibitor of cytokine synthesis, especially in activated macrophages, also had greater expression in diseased teeth (p > 0.05). IL-1, a proinflammatory cytokine expressed by activated monocytes/macrophages, was reduced in diseased teeth compared to control teeth (p > 0.05). At three months post-treatment, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 had reduced expression in ECR-affected teeth (p < 0.05) whereas levels in control teeth remained relatively stable. Preliminary data showed ECR-affected teeth had a different inflammatory cytokine profile compared to healthy teeth. The expression of inflammatory cytokines decreased in affected teeth following treatment.