In situ characterization of cell infiltrates in human dental periapical granulomas

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to demonstrate FcR activity of dental periapical granulomas and to correlate the activity with the degree of lymphoreticular cell infiltration. Cryostat sections of 46 out of 51 granulomas adsorbed sheep erythrocytes (E) sensitized with rabbit IgG antibodies (A) (EA). No adsorption occurred using erythrocytes sensitized with F(ab′)₂ fragments of IgG. IgG and Fc fragments of human or rabbit IgG inhibited the binding of EA, whereas F(ab′)₂ fragments, human IgA, IgM or albumin did not, indicating the presence of receptors for the Fc region of IgG. Periodate, neutral formaldehyde and phospholipase C abolished the FcR activity whereas neuraminidase had no effect. Comparison of sections binding EA and adjacent sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin showed that EA adhered to areas infiltrated with mononuclear cells. The degree of binding of EA coincided with the density of mononuclear cell infiltration. Point attachements between the tissue sections and the adsorbed EA could be demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Sections with no infiltrates did not bind EA.