Characterization of inflammatory cell infiltrate in human dental pulpitis.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the microscopic characteristics and densities (per mm(2) ) of tryptase(+) mast cells, CD4(+) T helper lymphocytes, CD45RO(+) memory T lymphocytes, foxp3(+) T regulatory lymphocytes, CD20(+) B lymphocytes, CD68(+) macrophages, and CD31(+) blood vessels in human dental pulpitis (n=38) and healthy pulpal tissue (n=6).


METHODS
The pulps of 38 human teeth with a clinical diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis were removed by pulpectomy. The pulp tissue was immersed in 10% buffered formalin for evaluation using light microscopy. Tryptase, CD4, CD45RO, foxp3, CD20, CD68, and CD31 expressions were analysed using immunohistochemistry; other microscopic features, such as intensity of inflammatory infiltrate and collagen deposition, were evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin stain. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at α=5%.


RESULTS
Two microscopic patterns of pulpitis were found: group 1 (G1) (n=15) had an intense inflammatory infiltrate and mild collagen deposition; conversely, group 2 (G2) (n=23) had a scarce inflammatory infiltrate and intense collagen deposition. The numbers of CD68(+) macrophages (P=0.004) and CD20(+) B (P=0.068) lymphocytes and the density of blood vessels (P=0.002) were higher in G1 than in G2. However, a similar number of CD4(+) and CD45RO(+) T lymphocytes was found in both groups (P>0.05). When present, tryptase(+) mast cells were equally distributed in G1 and G2, whereas foxp3(+) T regulatory lymphocytes were detected in 59% and 14% of the samples of G1 and G2. Controls exhibited lower numbers of foxp3, tryptase, CD4, CD45RO, CD68 and CD20 positive cells than G1 and G2.


CONCLUSIONS
Irreversible pulpitis had distinct microscopic features with important quantitative and qualitative differences in inflammatory cell infiltration.
Bruno
K F
KF
Department of Endodontics, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Silva
J A
JA
Silva
T A
TA
Batista
A C
AC
Alencar
A H G
AH
Estrela
C
C
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000098:blood supply; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000145:classification; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000473:pathology; D053802:Tryptases / Q000032:analysis; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D003094:Collagen; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D053802:Tryptases; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human