Mature dendritic cells in inflamed human pulps beneath deep caries.
OBJECTIVE
Dendritic cells (DCs) in pulps have been identified with markers for immature DCs and the relationship of DC maturity to pulpal health has not been carefully examined. We sought to test the hypothesis that the frequency of CD83+ mature DCs would correlate with caries invasion.


METHODS
Pulps were collected from extracted teeth exhibiting (I) no caries (n = 9), (II) shallow dentinal caries (n = 5), and (III) deep caries (n = 9). Immature DCs (CD209+), mature DCs (CD83+), and monocytes/macrophages (CD14+) in three groups were enumerated immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
Mature DCs were frequently found beneath deep caries (21.3 mature DCs/3 grids versus <1 in groups I and II) with increasing numbers of CD209+ DCs and CD14+ cells. Co-localization of CD4+ T cells with mature DCs and macrophages was observed in deep caries.


CONCLUSIONS
Mature DCs were frequently found only beneath deep caries and these DCs were co-localized with CD4+ T cells suggesting antigen presentation.
Harmon
Melissa A
MA
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Tew
John G
JG
Best
Al M
AM
Hahn
Chin-Lo
CL
D017951:Antigen Presentation; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000032:analysis; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis; D000097802:CD83 Antigen; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000097802:CD83 Antigen; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin