Identification of Langerhans Cells in Human Gingival Epithelium

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively compare three recent techniques of Langerhans cells detection in oral epithelium and to quantitatively compare Langerhans cells in clinically normal and clinically inflamed human gingival biopsies. Eleven subjects were selected who displayed chronic periodontitis and moderate gingival inflammation. A quadrant associated with clinically inflamed tissues was not treated, while the remaining teeth were scaled and root-planed. Two gingival biopsies were taken: clinically normal, treated tissue; and clinically inflamed, untreated tissue. Langerhans cells were stained using HLD-DR, S-100 and OKT6. They were quantitated using a standard grid for OKT6-stained sections only. Approximately 5 times as many Langerhans cells were identified in the biopsy specimens of clinically inflamed human gingiva as in clinically normal gingiva of the same patient. Of the methods studied, OKT6 was qualitatively determined to be the best for visualization of these cells. An immunologic role in the host response to chronic periodontal disease is postulated for Langerhans cells.

Effect of Smoking on Langerhans and Dendritic Cells in Patients With Chronic Gingivitis

“…The literature shows divergent results regarding the number of DCs in patients with periodontal diseases. Some studies 10,12,14,15 reported an increased quantity of these cells in patients with chronic gingivitis and periodontitis compared to healthy periodontal tissues, whereas other studies 16,17 presented a decreased number according to the severity of the periodontal disease. In addition, no quantitative change in periodontitis compared to gingivitis and healthy periodontal tissues 18 has been reported.…”

Components of Host Response to Pathogenic Bacteria in Gingivitis

“…The presence of numerous CD1a+ Langerhans cells was noted in the epithelium with no difference between the healthy/gingivitis and periodontitis group (Gemmell et al 2003). Five times as many CD1a+ Langerhans cells have been shown in clinically inflamed gingival epithelium compared with numbers in the same patients following periodontal treatment (DiFranco 1985). While T cells exhibit immunoregulatory features via T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 subsets, B cells upon activation transform into antibody producing plasma cells.…”

Pathophysiology of Langerhans cells

“…These foci develop in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns. [13] In chronic adult periodontitis, mature CD83+ DCs form immune conjugates with CD4+ T cells in the oral lymphoid foci. [114]…”