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Morphology of polymorphonuclear neutrophils during periodontal disease in the cynomolgus monkey
Author(s) -
Brecx M.,
Patters M. R.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1985.tb01392.x
Subject(s) - periodontal disease , polymorphonuclear leukocyte , morphology (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , periodontitis , medicine , immunology , biology , dentistry , in vitro , zoology , biochemistry
The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) appears to be an important cell in the protection of the host from pathogenic periodontal micro‐organisms. The purpose of the present histological studies was to observe the emigration of the PMN from the gingival vessels to the periodontal packet during gingivitis and ligature‐induced periodontitis in the cynomolgus monkey 2 adult female monkeys were treated by application of a silk ligature around selected posterior teeth. After 9 weeks, the monkeys were perfused and block sections of both ligated (early periodontitis) and non‐ligated (gingivitis) sites were obtained, cut into smaller blocks containing a single interdental area ( N = 15 for periodontitis, N = 5 for gingivitis) and processed for light and electron microscopic observations. Morphologically, no differences in PMNs between gingivitis and periodontitis wrere observed and therefore the following description applies to both disease slates. In the vessels, the endothebal cells appeared to be actively involved in PMN emigration, maintaining long processes which surrounded the PMNs. Within the connective tissue, the PMNs maintained their typical morphology which included polylobated nuclei and numerous lysosomal granules. Many intact PMNs were observed intercellularly within the connective tissue and the epithelium. Within the periodontal pocket, a multilayer of PMNs surrounded the plaque mass. Cells with numerous bacteria‐containing phagolyso‐somes were observed with increasing frequency as they approached the plaque. Deeper within the bacterial deposit, PMNs were seen in varying stages of degeneration. These histologic studies, when interpreted in the light of reports of severe, rapidly‐progressive periodontitis in patients with PMN disorders, suggest that the interaction of PMNs with bacterial plaque may serve to maintain a defensive boundary which protects the host tissues from irreversible destruction.