Immunopathological study of periodontal disease VI. Localization and function of T-cell in inflamed human gingiva

Abstract : The localization and function of T-cells in the inflamed human gingivae were revealed by immunopathological studies. 21 of 40 gingival specimens showed flourescence positive by staining with FITC-labeled rabbit antiserum to human thymocytes. T-cells were mainly detected in the subepithelial connective tissue and partially in the deep layer of the gingiva as a cluster or scatter pattern. Morphological observation indicated that these T-cells were produced by blastoid transformation and beared formation of the local immune system in the periodontal tissue. It was concluded that the function of T-cells in the gingival tissue could be classified into three categories as follows: (1) help the formation of local B-cell immunity or T-cell immunity (2) tissue injuries by ADCC or cytotoxic factors (3) tissue defensive reaction by stimulation of mesenchymal cells