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Mast Cells Act as Phagocytes Against the Periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans
Author(s) -
Lima Heliton G.,
Pinke Karen H.,
Gardizani Taiane P.,
SouzaJúnior Devandir A.,
Carlos Daniela,
AvilaCampos Mario J.,
Lara Vanessa S.
Publication year - 2013
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.2012.120087
Subject(s) - antibody opsonization , opsonin , aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans , microbiology and biotechnology , phagocytosis , immune system , immunology , phagocyte , biology , degranulation , bacteria , chemistry , porphyromonas gingivalis , biochemistry , genetics , receptor
Background: Evidence to date shows that mast cells play a critical role in immune defenses against infectious agents, but there have been no reports about involvement of these cells in eliminating periodontopathogens. In this study, the phagocytic ability of mast cells against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans compared with macrophages is evaluated. Methods: In vitro phagocytic assays were conducted using murine mast cells and macrophages, incubated with A. actinomycetemcomitans , either opsonized or not, with different bacterial load ratios. After 1 hour, cells were stained with acridine orange and assessed by confocal laser‐scanning electron microscopy. Results: Phagocytic ability of murine mast cells against A. actinomycetemcomitans was confirmed. In addition, the percentage of mast cells with internalized bacteria was higher in the absence of opsonization than in the presence of opsonization. Both cell types showed significant phagocytic activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans . However, the percentage of mast cells with non‐opsonized bacteria was higher than that of macrophages with opsonized bacteria in one of the ratios (1:10). Conclusions: This is the first report about the participation of murine mast cells as phagocytes against A. actinomycetemcomitans , mainly in the absence of opsonization with human serum. Our results may indicate that mast cells act as professional phagocytes in the pathogenesis of biofilm‐associated periodontal disease.