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Mast cells of the human gingiva
Author(s) -
Zachrisson Björn U.
Publication year - 1967
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 - 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1967.tb01877.x
Subject(s) - degranulation , connective tissue , acridine orange , mast cell , mast (botany) , pathology , inflammation , fixation (population genetics) , staining , chemistry , biology , immunology , medicine , biochemistry , receptor , gene
By way of degranulation, the mast cells release a number of biologically active substances into the connective tissue. The present study is concerned with the relation of the gingival mast cells to the pathogenesis of gingivitis. Following fixation in Newcomer's fluid and non‐aqueous staining at pH 0.5 in acridine orange 1 , topographically defined zones of sections of normal and inflamed marginal gingiva, histologically classified with regard to degree of inflammation, of 56 different individuals have been studied in the fluorescence microscope. The human gingiva was found to be comparatively rich in mast cells. Three main morphological variants were observed and their topographical distribution within the tissue have been described. Marked differences in stainability between mast cells of different areas of the connective tissue have been recorded, and correlated to the state of inflammation, In spite of individual variations in mast cell density, definite patterns of frequency and distribution were observed. The number of mast cells appeared inversely correlated to the density and distribution of the inflammatory cellular exudate within the pocket area of the connective tissue. Consequently, normal gingivae generally contained more mast cells per tissue unit than the moderately inflamed tissue, which, in turn, contained more than the severely inflamed gingivae. Exceptions were found in some moderately inflamed, fibrous gingiva with evidence of strong fibroblastic activity, where there was an increased number of mast cells. On basis of the distribution, frequency and stainability of the mast cells of the gingiva, it is suggested that the mast cells of the regions adjacent to the tooth are subject to an enzymatic degranulation as elicited by products elaborated by the gingival bacterial plaque or possibly by local antigen‐antibody interactions. Substances released by degranulation may then act as mediators during the course of the inflammatory process as well as contribute to the local resistance against injury.