Abstract

Background. Temporomandibular osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the temporomandibular joint and is characterized by the cartilage and bone destruction caused by the inflammatory and immune response. This communication reports on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in synovial cells of patients with temporomandibular osteoarthritis. Methods. In twelve temporomandibular osteoarthritis patients and six healthy control subjects, cytokine expression in synovial cells was evaluated by quantitative PCR. Results. Levels of IL-1?, IL-2, IL-12, IL-17, TNF?, TNF? e IFN? were significantly higher in synovial cells of patients than in controls. In particular, IL-12 was the predominant cytokine in patients and IL-12 in healthy subjects. Conclusion. Taken together, these data suggest that a Th1 immune response is associated to the destruction observed during the temporomandibular osteoarthritis.