Quantification of mast cells in different stages of human periodontal disease.
OBJECTIVE
Among the cells involved in immune and inflammatory responses in periodontal disease, mast cells have been shown to be capable of generating a large number of biologically active substances. The present study was undertaken to identify and quantify the presence of mast cells in different stages of human periodontal disease using histochemical (toluidine blue) and immunohistochemical (tryptase-positive mast cells) techniques.


RESULTS
Mast cell densities (cells per mm(2)) were significantly increased in chronic periodontitis/gingivitis lesions compared with clinically healthy gingival tissues (Health) uniquely by immunohistochemical technique. Interestingly, mast cells were distributed specially in close apposition to mononuclear cells.


CONCLUSIONS
In human periodontal disease there is an increase in the number of mast cells that may be participating either in the destructive events or in the defense mechanism of periodontal disease via secretion of cytokines, including perpetuation of the Th2 response, and cellular migration and healing processes.
Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.
A C
AC
Batista
C O
CO
Rodini
V S
VS
Lara
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002452:Cell Count; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008407:Mast Cells; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods