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Identification of Langerhans Cells in Human Gingival Epithelium
Author(s) -
DiFranco Charles F.,
Toto Patrick D.,
Rowden Geoffrey,
Gargiulo Anthony W.,
Keene Joseph J.,
Connelly Eileen
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1985.56.1.48
Subject(s) - pathology , medicine , langerhans cell , biopsy , epithelium , quadrant (abdomen) , periodontitis , chronic periodontitis , dentistry , immune system , immunology
The purpose of this study was (1) to qualitatively compare three recent techniques of Langerhans cell detection in oral epithelium and (2) to quantitatively compare Langerhans cells in clinically normal and clinically inflamed human gingival biopsies. Eleven subjects were selected who displayed chronic periodontitis and moderate gingival inflammation. A quadrant associated with clinically inflamed tissues was not treated, while the remaining teeth were scaled and root‐planed. Two gingival biopsies were taken: clinically normal, treated tissue; and clinically inflamed, untreated tissue. Langerhans cells were stained using HLA‐DR, S‐100 and OKT6. They were quantitated using a standardized grid for OKT6‐stained sections only. Approximately 5 times as many Langerhans cells were identified in the biopsy specimens of clinically inflamed human gingiva as in clinically normal gingiva of the same patient. Of the methods studied, OKT6 was qualitatively determined to be the best for visualization of these cells. An immunologic role in the host response to chronic periodontal disease is postulated for Langerhans cells.