title: Gingival keratinocytes express HLA-DR antigens in chronic gingivitis.
abstract: The expression of the histocompatibility antigens HLA-DR and HLA-A, B, C within periodontally diseased tissue was investigated using immunohistological and histochemical techniques. Tissue was obtained from 18 patients with periodontal disease and from 2 healthy volunteers. HLA-DR antigen was expressed by the keratinocytes of the oral epithelium in all inflamed samples but was not a feature of normal tissue where HLA-DR reactivity was confined to Langerhans cells. These results are consistent with an underlying cellular immune process. Using a variety of phenotypic markers it was possible to characterize the macrophage population within the connective tissue into 2 distinct types: an antigen-presenting cell type located subjacent to the oral epithelium and a phagocytic cell type situated deep within the connective tissue.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Seymour
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005881:Gingiva / Q000276:immunology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007633:Keratins