Effect of triclosan on interferon-γ production and major histocompatibility complex class II expression in human gingival fibroblasts

Abstract

Background, aims: The effect of triclosan (2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxyl-diphenyl ether) on the production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen was studied in human gingival fibroblasts isolated from 4 individuals. Methods/Results: AII cell lines demonstrated high IFN-γ production in 24-h cultures of human gingival fibroblasts stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (5 μg/ml). Human gingival fibroblasts showed a high expression of MHC class II when stimulated with 500 and 1000 pg/ml rIFN-γ in 7-day cultures. Treatment of the cells with triclosan (0.5 μg/ml) reduced both IFN-γ production and MHC class II expression in human gingival fibroblast cultures. Similar inhibitory effects on IFN-γ production and MHC class II expression were observed when the anti-inflammatory agent dexamethazone (1 μM) was used. Conclusion: The present study further supports the view that the agent has an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to its antibacterial capacity. © Munksgaard, 2000.