T cells, teeth and tissue destruction - what do T cells do in periodontal disease?
The microbial plaque biofilm resides adjacent to the tissue-destructive inflammatory infiltrate in periodontitis. Although not sufficient, this biofilm is necessary for this inflammatory response. Patients with periodontitis generate antibodies specific for bacteria in the biofilm - although the role of these antibodies is not clear, there is, undoubtedly, an adaptive immune response in periodontitis. T lymphocytes are central to adaptive immunity, and provide help for B cells to generate specific antibodies. T-cell receptor recognition of peptide antigen in the context of major histocompatibility complex can result in T-cell activation. The activation and differentiation of the T-cell can take many forms, and hence numerous types of T cells have been described. The role of adaptive immune responses, and the T-cell component thereof, in periodontitis remains relatively poorly defined. This review aims to broadly summarize findings about T cells and their role in periodontitis, focusing primarily on studies of human disease with a short discussion of some animal studies.
Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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Campbell
Infection and Immunity Research Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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Millhouse
Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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Malcolm
Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. shauna.culshaw@glasgow.ac.uk.|Infection and Immunity Research Group, Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. shauna.culshaw@glasgow.ac.uk.
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Culshaw
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014070:Tooth / Q000382:microbiology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
adaptive immunity; animal model; human; periodontitis