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Lymphocyte Numbers and Function in Relation to Periodontitis and Smoking
Author(s) -
Loos Bruno G.,
Roos Marijke T.L.,
Schellekens Peter Th.A.,
Velden Ubele van der,
Miedema Frank
Publication year - 2004
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.2004.75.4.557
Subject(s) - periodontitis , immunophenotyping , cd8 , immunology , cd19 , t cell , medicine , cd3 , immune system , flow cytometry
Background: T and B lymphocytes play important roles in periodontitis. Smoking is considered a risk factor for periodontitis and may exert its negative effects through leukocytes. Taking smoking into consideration, the aim of this study was to analyze numbers of circulating T (CD3 + ) cells and their CD4 + and CD8 + subpopulations, B (CD19 + ) cells, and T‐cell proliferative capacity in periodontitis. Methods: Lymphocyte immunophenotyping for T cells, their CD4 + and CD8 + subsets, and B cells was performed on peripheral blood from 76 periodontitis patients and 36 controls. Proliferative capacity of T cells was determined in whole‐blood lymphocyte culture assays after mitogenic stimulation. Results: Total T cells, CD4 + and CD8 + subpopulations, and responsiveness to specific T‐cell stimuli did not differ between patients and controls; in addition, B cells were not significantly elevated in periodontitis patients. However, more periodontal breakdown in smoking patients was associated with higher numbers of CD3 + T cells, as well as with CD4 + and CD8 + T‐cell subsets, and increased T‐cell proliferation. Numbers of B cells were not affected by smoking. Conclusions: The increased numbers of T‐cells and elevated T‐cell responsiveness in patients who smoke may be one of several explanations why smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis. The mechanism of how T‐cell function contributes to increase the severity of periodontal breakdown in smoking periodontitis patients needs to be investigated further. J Periodontol 2004;75:557‐564 .