Search

Class II antigen expressing cells are generally associated with the early phase of the immune response. Dendritic cells and macrophages expressing these cell surface antigens have recently been demonstrated and characterized in the dental pulp. The present study was undertaken to determine when the pulp receives its immunologic defense potential by examining the temporal appearance of class II antigen expressing cells in the rat incisor pulp. Pulp tissue specimens obtained at various time periods from a gestational age of 16 days to 14 wk after birth were examined by immunohistochemistry using O × 6 as a primary antibody and the ABC- technique. Comparisons were made with tissue samples from the spleen, intestine, skin and oral mucosa. At birth, all tissues, except for the pulp, presented cells expressing class II antigen with a dendritic appearance in a number and orientation resembling the mature tissue. A complete distribution of these cells was not seen in the dental pulp until 7 weeks following birth. Data show that the dental pulp acquires its ultimate structural arrangement of immune cells later than other tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we characterized the phenotypes of infiltrating mononuclear cells in angular cheilitis lesions to further explore the pathogenesis of this disorder. Frozen sections from lesions infected by Candida albicans and/or Staphylococcus aureus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis utilizing monoclonal antibodies directed to subsets of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and macrophages. In addition, the expression of Class II antigens (HLA-DP, -DQ -DR), the interleukin 2- and transferrin-receptors was studied on resident and infiltrating cells. An intense infiltration of T-lymphocytes was accompanied by expression of Class II antigens on the epidermal keratinocytes in lesion infected by Candida albicans. The Staphylococcus aureus infected lesions desplayed a diffuse infiltration of T-lymphocytes but virtually no expression of Class II antigen by epidermal keratinocytes. These observations, suggest that the cell-mediated arm of the immune system is involved in the inflammatory reaction of lesions infected by Candida albicans. In addition, the present study confirms that epidermal expression of Class II antigens is closely related to the type and magnitude of the infiltrating T-lymphocyte. Finally, these findings indicate that the type of inflammatory reaction in angular cheilitis is primarily dependent on the isolated microorganism, although the clinical pictures of the disorder are virtually identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective longitudinal study was performed on 20 patients with oral leukoplakia, 10 of which developed an oral squamous cell carcinoma, to assess whether any alterations in the local immunologic reactivity could be found of value in predicting the subsequent behavior of the lesions. During the major period of follow-up, the relative frequency of in situ IgA-producing plasma cells was significantly higher in biopsies from patients subsequently developing cancer than in patients showing no cancer development. Preceding the malignant transformation by 12 to 15 months, however, a remarkable shift from IgA to IgG plasma cell predominance was noticed in the biopsies of the cancer series, not detectable in the non-cancer group. HPV group specific capsid antigens were found in seven cases of the cancer series and in six of the non-cancer group. The possible diagnostic implications of these results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty strains of oral streptococci resembling the species of Streptococcus mitior and Streptococcus salivarius were isolated from four subjects and were incubated with homologous and heterologous whole clarified saliva. Supernatants of bacterially absorbed and control saliva were analyzed in tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TCIE) against a rabbit anti-human saliva antiserum. Six to eight antigens were detected. After incubation with the bacteria, the saliva supernatants showed a decrease in the number of antigens detectable by TCIE. For all four salivas tested, the homologous group of strains absorbed fewer antigens. Some of the antigens could be eluted from bacterial pellets with 1 M NaCl after repeated washings in PBS. Epithelial cells also absorbed fewer antigens from homologous than heterologous saliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model for hapten- induced cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in the oral mucosa of the spraque-Dawley rat is presented. Sensitization was performed with 0.1 ml of a hapten (DNCB 2%, in acetone solution) administered five times on shaved dorsal skin. Ten days after completed sensitization eliciting doses of 0.1-0.02% of the hapten were applied in the buccal mucosa one of several times giving rise to an inflammation dominated by lymphocytes. The development of the reaction was studied in a times sequence study. also sensitization through the buccal mucosa was attempted, with three or more of the eliciting doses applied directly in the buccal mucosa. Light microscpically, the reaction was identical to the one seen in previously sensitized rats. The effects of DNCB and DNFB on sensitized animal with eliciting doses of 24μl 2% or 0.002% in acetone/olive oil were compared. No differences were seen in the low concentration range, but in the high concentration range, DNFB showed a more potent effect giving rinse to ulcers, not observed with DNCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 191 oral mucosal tumors including those with suspected HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) etiology; squamous cell papilloma (SQP), condyloma acuminatum (CA), focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH), as well as those regarded as unrelated to HPV; fibrous hyperplasia (FH), papillary hyperplasia (PH), arid true fibroma (TF), were analyzed for HPV structural proteins (by indirect immunoperoxidase IP-PAP technique, for the presence of epithelial dysplasia. and for the cellular composition (B and T lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, (MPS cells) of their local inflammatory cell infiltrates using ANAE-(acid α-naphthyl acetate esterase) stain. HPV structural proteins were disclosed in 85% of FEH, in 75% of CA, and in 41% of SQP. These three lesions significantly differed from PH and FH with regard to the intensity and cellular composition of the local infiltrates, being most intense and B cell predominated in the latter two. Mild dysplasia was found in 20% of both CA and SQP lesions, the former also showing moderate dysplasia in 12% of cases. The HPV antigen positivity was negatively correlated with dysplasia in CA and SQP, the intensity of the infiltrate showing positive association with dysplasia. The results are discussed in terms of HPV etiology of CA, SQP arid FEH, of the host immunologic reactivity against these lesions, as well as of the possible role of HPV in human squamous cell carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the immoral antibody response to Candida by means of hemagglutinin and precipitin tests and to correlate these results to yeast colonization in the oral sites and feces and to the relapse tendency after treatment; and furthermore, to evaluate whether Candida serology can serve as a tool to predict a denture stomatitis risk group. The serologic tests were performed by means of passive hemagglutination (HA) and immunoelectroosmophoresis (counterimmunoelectrophoresis, CIE) tests in 51 denture stomatitis patients and compared with 25 individuals in the reference group. There were significantly more patients with increased hemagglutinin titers (pos. ≥ 1:160) to Candida albicans polysaccharide (mannan) antigen and/or precipitin to crude C. albicans cytoplasmic antigen in serum (P < 0.01) than in the reference group. In the denture stomatitis group there was no correlation between the presence of hemagglutinating and precipitating Candida antibody in serum and the parameters yeast colonization of the oral sites/feces, yeast score on the denture base and palatal erythema score. After local oral antimycotic treatment there was no significant change in the serum Candida hemagglutinin titers and serum precipitins. Serologic tests might be useful as a guidance in a selected group of patients for continued prosthetic treatment and as a prognostic instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of blood group antigens A, B and H was examined in human fetal oral macosal and odontogenic epithelium. Tissue from 19 fetuses with crown-rump lengths of 57 mm to 189 nun, corresponding to a fertilization age of 10-20 weeks, was included in the study. The distribution of blood group antigens was studied by immunofluorescence methods on tissue sections. Cell membrane bound blood group antigen A or B was demonstrated in the oral mucosal epithelium of 10 fetuses, whereas blood group antigen H was found in all fetuses. All the epithelial cell layers of the tooth germs were devoid of the blood group antigens A, B and H independent of the age of the fetus. The blood group antigens A, B and H were located on the cell membranes of the upper cell layers of the oral epithelium, whereas the basal cells showed no reaction even in the youngest fetuses. Following the differentiation of the epithelial cells, changes were seen in the distribution of the blood group antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histologic distribution of blood group antigens A, B and H was examined in ameloblastomas and normal mucosa from 15 patients. The blood group antigens were demonstrated with a semiquantitative immunofluorescence staining method. Blood group antigens A and B were absent in the ameloblastomas, whereas the spinous cells of the oral mucosal epithelium showed a positive reaction in correspondence with the patient's blood group. Blood group antigen H was demonstrated in 14 of 15 'ameloblastomas from patients belonging to blood group A, B, AB or O. In the oral mucosal epithelium from these patients blood group antigen H in all cases was located to the cell membranes of the spinous cells. The present findings suggest that a difference in ability to synthesize blood group antigen H and the blood group antigens A and B exists in the ameloblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of blood group antigen H in human buccal epithelium was examined in 22 individuals, 16 secretors and six non-secretors of blood group antigens in the saliva. An extract of Ulex europeus was used as marker of blood group antigen H in a triple layer immunofluorescence technique. The cell membranes of the spinous cell layer stained positively in all individuals, whereas the basal cells reacted negatively. Secretors and non-secretors had similar distributions of blood group antigen H in the buccal epithelium. However, a significantly higher amount of blood group antigen H was found in secretors than in non-secretors. The study indicates, that an extract of Ulex europeus is a valuable marker for blood group antigen H in studying the distribution of this antigen in oral epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low titers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is often found in mixed saliva of antigenemic individuals. In the present study the occurrence of antigen in saliva was correlated to the content of albumin, which is not synthesized by the salivary glands, but represents a leakage into the oral cavity due to hemorrhage, exudation or transudation. The presence of antigen in saliva was also correlated to the titer of antigen in serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and humoral immunity (HI) against oral bacteria (Streptococcus sanguis strain 2A, ATCC 10556, Streptococcus sanguis group H1, Neisseria subflava and Staphylococcus) and adult human oral mucosa (AHOM) antigens were investigated in relation to exacerbation of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The material consisted of 10 patients with RAS and 10 controls. The CMI and HI were assessed by means of the leukocyte migration test (LMT) and a double-layer immunofluorescence (IF) technique. Compared with normal controls the leukocyte migration inhibition against Strep. 2A and AHOM was significantly increased in patients with exacerbation of RAS and the reactivity seemed to develop in relation to the exacerbation of RAS. The leukocyte migration inhibition was not significantly increased when Strep. H1, Neisseria subflava, Staphylococcus or fetal human kidney extracts were used as antigens. The IgG antibodies against Strep. 2A and Strep. H1 were significantly raised in sera from patients with exacerbation of RAS. However, the endpoint titers (EPT) did not increase significantly in relation to the exacerbation of RAS. The distribution of EPT against Neisseria subflava, Staphylococcus and AHOM did not differ significantly when sera from patients with exacerbation of RAS were related to sera from controls. The present investigations support the hypothesis that CMI against streptococcal and AHOM antigens may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of RAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was topically applied to exposed dentin to assess whether inflammatory reactions can be induced in the pulp of monkeys immunized against BSA. Four cynomolgus monkeys received repeated injections of BSA emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Pulp challenge was performed by applying BSA in freshly cut dentin cavities prepared on the buccal surface in 34 teeth. In 29 control teeth ovalbumin (OVA) was applied. Control applications of BSA were also performed in 15 teeth prepared in three nonimmunized monkeys. Forty-eight hours after the initiation of the pulp challenge the monkeys were sacrificed and the pulp tissue examined in the light microscope. Topical application of BSA to freshly exposed dentin in immunized monkeys resulted in severe inflammatory lesions in the pulp, characterized by bleeding and extravascular infiltration of large numbers of leukocytes. Extensive tissue damage was an important feature in several pulps. Identical applications of OVA in control teeth and BSA applications in nonimmunized monkeys produced no such reactions. The results indicate that interactions between antigens and antibodies can occur within the dentin-pulp area and following the formation of immune-complexes, severe injury to the pulp can be induced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salivary mucins can aggregate oral bacteria and are also constituents of pellicle and plaque. A, B, and H blood group antigens are present on the mucins of secretors only. These mucins have also been shown to contain more carbohydrate than non-secretor mucins. The aim of the present study was to relate these genetically determined differences in mucin composition to caries prevalence. Data on blood group, secretor status, and caries prevalence were collected from 69 dental students. In all blood groups, the average caries prevalence was lower for secretors than for non-secretors. The difference was more pronounced for smooth surface than for total surface prevalence. The secretors of blood group mucin A had the lowest caries prevalence. The results would be consistent with an impact of the mucin composition upon the caries prevalence, and possible mechanisms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunologic cross-reactions between Strep. 2A, fetal human oral mucosa (FHOM), and adult human oral mucosa (AHOM) were investigated by the use of a double layer immunofluorescence staining technique. Rabbit sera were prepared against Strep. 2A and FHOM. Seventeen sera from patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and with known antibodies against Strep. 2A and AHOM were examined for anti- bodies against FHOM. The distribution of endpoint titers against FROM in the sera from RAS differed significantly from the distribution in 17 controls. The immune absorptions in the rabbit sera and in the 17 sera from patients with RAS indicate that some cross-reacting antigenic determinants are shared between Strep. 2A, FHOM, and AHOM. Furthers the present results indicate that antibodies are produced against antigenic determinants which are not shared by Strep. 2A, FHOM, and AHOM. The role of cross-reacting antigens in the pathogenesis of RAS is discussed but remains obscure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of blood group antigens A and B has been studied in 8 ameloblastomas, 16 odontogenic keratocysts from patients with basal cell nevus syndrome, 11 odontogenic keratocysts from patients without the syndrome, and 12 non-keratinizing odontogenic cysts, using a double layer immunofluorescence staining technique. The amount of antigen in the lesions was compared with the content of antigen in normal buccal mucosa from each patient. All ameloblastomas reacted negatively, three cysts from the patients with the basal cell nevus syndrome reacted negatively, and the odontogenic keratocysts from patients without the syndrome as well as the non-keratinizing odontogenic cysts all gave a positive reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]