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Phenotypical and functional analysis of T cells in periodontitis
Author(s) -
Petit M. D. A.,
Hovenkamp E.,
Hamann D.,
Roos M. T. L.,
Van Der Velden U.,
Miedema F.,
Loos B. G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of periodontal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0765
pISSN - 0022-3484
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0765.2001.036004214.x
Subject(s) - cd8 , periodontitis , cytotoxic t cell , pathogenesis , gingivitis , immunology , immune system , interferon gamma , biology , intracellular , t cell , phenotype , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , in vitro , dentistry , gene
To explore aspects of cellular immune responses in the pathogenesis of periodontitis we analyzed phenotype and function of peripheral T cells. Two groups of subjects participated: one group consisted of 10 highly susceptible patients with severe periodontitis (mean age 29 years) and a control group consisted of 10 age, gender and race matched subjects with gingivitis. From all subjects peripheral blood was collected. The results showed that the numbers of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as the CD4/CD8 ratio, and the proliferative capacity of T cells, were not different between the two groups of subjects. Also, proportions of naive and memory T cells for both the CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations were not different. Functional heterogeneity within the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell compartments was determined by intracellular analysis of interferon‐ γ (IFN‐ γ ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) production. On the basis of these latter analyses among CD4+ and CD8+ cells, T helper (Th) 1 or Th2 function and T cytotoxic (Tc) 1 or Tc2 function, respectively, could be deduced. No significant differences in proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells positive for intracellular IFN‐ γ or IL‐4 were observed between periodontitis patients and gingivitis controls; however a higher level of intracellular IL‐4 in CD8+ T cells was seen in periodontitis patients. This might indicate that there is a shift towards a Tc2 function within the CD8+ T cell subpopulation. The current explorative study suggests that further research into the role of CD8+T cells in the pathogenesis of periodontitis is warranted.