Evidence for a specific crevicular lymphocyte profile in aggressive periodontitis.
OBJECTIVE
It is undisputed that the periodontal pocket is a particular region of the host defense that is dominated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. However, little is known about the lymphocytes in the crevice. It was the aim of this study to analyse the proportions of T cells (CD3+), T-helper cells (CD4+), T-suppressor cells (CD8+), and B cells (CD20+) in the crevice of patients with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP), generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP), and generalized chronic periodontitis (CP). The results were compared with those obtained from periodontally healthy controls.


METHODS
Crevicular cells were collected according to a previously described method. The lymphocyte subpopulations were analysed by using an indirect immunofluorescence method.


RESULTS
Significant differences were established between the test groups and the controls regarding the mean number of CD8+ lymphocytes (LAP > CP and controls; p < 0.05) and CD20+ lymphocytes (LAP/GAP > CP, p < 0.05 and LAP/GAP > controls; p < 0.001). Significant variations in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were observed (LAP < controls and GAP < controls; p < 0.01), as well as a correlation between the number of T cells and the degree of inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, patients with LAP and patients with GAP were found to have increased numbers of crevicular T-suppressor/cytotoxic and B cells. This supports the hypothesis of a changed immune pathology in patients with aggressive periodontitis.
Sigusch
B W
BW
Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Department of Periodontology, Conservative Dentistry, Germany. bernd.w.sigusch@med.uni-jena.de
Wutzler
A
A
Nietzsch
T
T
Glockmann
E
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000276:immunology; D005888:Gingival Pocket / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D018951:Antigens, CD20