Toll-like receptor 9 gene polymorphism in chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients

Aim: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease, with microbial dental plaque as the primary etiological factor. However, the manifestation and progression of periodontitis is influenced by a wide variety of other determinants and factors such as social and behavioral factors, systemic factors, microbial composition of dental plaque, genetic, and many other emerging risk factors. The aim of this study was to analyze genetic polymorphisms in the toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene at - 1237C/T and its association with chronic and generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) in an Indian population.

Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 90 subjects, which included 30 GAgP and 30 chronic periodontitis patients and 30 healthy controls. Within the limitations of our study, only 30 subjects were included in each group due to the low prevalence of GAgP patients. Blood samples were drawn from the subjects and analyzed for TLR9 genetic polymorphism at - 1237C/T by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results: No significant difference was found in genotype and allele frequency of TLR9 genetic polymorphism (- 1237C/T) in generalized aggressive and chronic periodontitis patients and healthy controls.

Conclusion: Toll-like receptor 9 genetic polymorphism at - 1237C/T may not be associated with GAgP and chronic periodontitis patients in Indian population.