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Cytokine expression in periapical granulation tissue as assessed by immunohistochemistry
Author(s) -
Walker Katie F.,
Lappin David F.,
Takahashi Keiso,
Hope Joyce,
Macdonald D. Gordon,
Kinane Denis F.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0722.2000.108003195.x
Subject(s) - granulation tissue , immunohistochemistry , immune system , cytokine , pathology , cd8 , medicine , monoclonal antibody , interleukin 4 , interferon gamma , antibody , immunology , biology , wound healing
The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of pro‐inflammatory, anti‐inflammatory and immune‐related cytokines present in periapical lesions. We investigated the expression of cytokines: namely interleukins IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10 and interferon‐γ(IFN‐γ) in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded sections of periapical granulation tissue. The study samples were biopsies from 24 patients with periapical lesions: 12 with periapical granulomas and 12 patients with radicular cysts. Immunohistochemistry was also performed on tonsillar tissue which served as a control. We utilised a set of specific monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal monospecific antibodies to detect cells that expressed the different cytokines within the tissues. We also considered the nature of the periapical immune response by investigation of the T‐helper 1 (Th‐1) and T‐helper 2 (Th‐2) lymphocyte subsets using their cytokine profile, i.e., Th‐1: IL‐2 and IFN‐γ and Th‐2: IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐6. Only a few cells were weakly positive for the IL‐2 protein in each of the tissue sections. Cells that expressed IL‐4 or IL‐6 were far more numerous than cells that expressed either IL‐2 or IFN‐γ. Thus, we demonstrated a greater number of Th‐2 cells in periapical lesions. This relative ratio of the T‐cell subsets underlines the importance of the anti‐inflammatory mechanisms taking place in the diseased tissue manifested by the wide array of IL‐10‐expressing cells: B cells, T suppressor cells (CD8 (+)) and tissue macrophages. The numbers of inflammatory cells expressing the anti‐inflammatory molecules far outnumbered the cells that expressed pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Thus, the downregulation of the inflammatory response and the predominant Th‐2 or humoral immune response in periapical periodontitis may be important features that dictate the outcome of the disease process in the periapical lesion.