EVALUATION OF CYSTATIN – C PROTEIN & CST3 GENE EXPRESSION IN PERIODONTAL HEALTH AND DISEASE: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Periodontal diseases are characterized by the  inflammation and destruction of supportingtissues of the teeth. Cysteine proteinases are amongthe mediators secreted as a part of host response that leads to the tissuedestruction. Furthermore, based on the literature evidences, Cystatin C an inhibitor of cysteineproteinases  could play a protective andregulatory role under inflammatory conditions. Its role as a biomarker in periodontal diseases isalso controversial. Evaluatingthe levels of Cystatin C protein expression within GCF and Cystatin C gene(CST3) expression in periodontal tissues together will give more clarity on itsrole in periodontal disease progression. Tilldate, no study has evaluated the gene expression of Cystatin C in periodontalhealth and disease condition. Therefore this observational study aims to evaluate the ofCystatin-C protein and  CST3 gene inperiodontal health and disease. A total of 50 subjects are to be recruited with 25 each in healthy and periodontitis groups. GCF and tissues samples are to be collected at baseline and stored at -80 degree celsius. Further the protein and gene expression of Cystatin C will be evaluated using ELISA and RT-PCR respectively.