Interferon-gamma-producing cells and inducible nitric oxide synthase-producing cells in periapical granulomas

J Oral Pathol Med. 1998 Mar;27(3):95-100. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.1998.tb01922.x.

Abstract

Periapical granulomas contain a large number of T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages and a small number of B lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Sections from eight periapical granulomas were stained by a variety of immunohistochemical methods. The vascular endothelial cells stained positively for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Helper T cells were identified by immunostaining for CD4 and stained positively for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). However, CD4-positive T cells did not stain for interleukin-4 (IL-4). Monocytes/macrophages were identified by immunostaining for CD68 and stained positively for IL-1alpha or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). IL-1beta could not be detected in the same samples. No cytokine expression was observed in B cells identified by immunostaining for CD20. IFN-gamma- and iNOS-positive cells could not be detected in clinically healthy periodontal ligament being used as a negative control. These results suggest that the IFN-gamma-producing T cells and iNOS-positive cells may modulate the progress of disease in local inflammation sites such as in periapical granulomas.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, CD20 / analysis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / analysis
  • B-Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Disease Progression
  • Endothelium, Vascular / enzymology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / immunology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / analysis
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-1 / analysis
  • Interleukin-4 / analysis
  • Macrophages / enzymology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / enzymology
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Neutrophils / enzymology
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / analysis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / biosynthesis*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Periapical Granuloma / enzymology
  • Periapical Granuloma / immunology
  • Periapical Granuloma / pathology*
  • Periodontal Ligament / enzymology
  • Periodontal Ligament / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / analysis

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • CD68 antigen, human
  • Interleukin-1
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma
  • NOS2 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II