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Interepithelial lymphocytes in experimental gingivitis in young and elderly individuals
Author(s) -
Holthuis Albert F.,
HolmPedersen Poul,
Folke Lars E. A.
Publication year - 1977
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.1600-0765.1977.tb00120.x
Subject(s) - gingivitis , epithelium , ultrastructure , biopsy , medicine , junctional epithelium , gingival inflammation , dentistry , oral hygiene , pathology , physiology
Experimental gingivitis was induced and monitored in young and elderly subjects. After 9 days of oral hygiene abstention, a gingival biopsy was obtained from the labial surface of the lower right cuspid. The distribution of lymphocytes within the crevicular epithelium was assessed, and the ultrastructural morphology of the lymphocytes was studied. From day 0 to day 9 the increase in gingival inflammation (Gingival Index) was greater in elderly than in young subjects. The number of lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells was greater within the crevicular epithelium of elderly subjects. However, this difference was not statistically significant. The ratio of lymphocytes was significantly higher in the coronal than in the apical portion of the epithelium in both age groups. On an ultrastructural level two types of interepithelial lymphocytes, inactive and intermediate, were recognized. The intermediate cell types displayed morphological characteristics typical of cells responding to antigen stimulation.