Background, aims: Neutrophil cells constitute the first defense barrier against the oral
bacterial challenge in the periodontium. Reduction of neutrophils could impair this response
against periopathogenic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Our previous work
implicates the apoptosis of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. We now
demonstrate that granulocyte monocyte‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) present in the
gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and secreted during the immune response reduces the …

Background, aims: Neutrophil cells constitute the first defense barrier against the oral
bacterial challenge in the periodontium. Reduction of neutrophils could impair this response
against periopathogenic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Our previous work
implicates the apoptosis of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. We now
demonstrate that granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) present in the
gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and secreted during the immune response reduces the …