Specialized postcapillary venules in human gingival tissue.
High endothelial venules (HEV) are specialized postcapillary venules that play a central role in lymphocyte migration and recirculation. This study examined the occurrence and morphology of HEV-like vessels in healthy gingiva and in lesions of chronic gingivitis in children, experimental gingivitis in adults, adult periodontitis, and in periapical granulomas. HEV-like vessels were absent in gingival health, but present during the development of inflammation and in chronic inflammation. The morphology of these HEV-like vessels in the oral cavity resembled that of lymphoid HEV. Thus gingival HEV may represent sites for the entry of lymphocytes into chronic inflammatory lesions.
Wynne
S E
SE
Department of Social and Preventive Dentistry, Dental School, Brisbane, Australia.
Walsh
L J
LJ
Seymour
G J
GJ
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004727:Endothelium / Q000473:pathology*; D004729:Endothelium, Lymphatic / Q000473:pathology*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D010484:Periapical Granuloma / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000473:pathology