Lymphocyte numbers and function in relation to periodontitis and smoking.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

T and B lymphocytes play important roles in periodontitis. Smoking is considered a risk factor for periodontitis and may exert its negative effects through leukocytes. Taking smoking into consideration, the aim of this study was to analyze numbers of circulating T (CD3+) cells and their CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations, B (CD19+) cells, and T-cell proliferative capacity in periodontitis.

METHODS:

Lymphocyte immunophenotyping for T cells, their CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, and B cells was performed on peripheral blood from 76 periodontitis patients and 36 controls. Proliferative capacity of T cells was determined in whole-blood lymphocyte culture assays after mitogenic stimulation.

RESULTS:

Total T cells, CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations, and responsiveness to specific T-cell stimuli did not differ between patients and controls; in addition, B cells were not significantly elevated in periodontitis patients. However, more periodontal breakdown in smoking patients was associated with higher numbers of CD3+ T cells, as well as with CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets, and increased T-cell proliferation. Numbers of B cells were not affected by smoking.

CONCLUSIONS:

The increased numbers of T-cells and elevated T-cell responsiveness in patients who smoke may be one of several explanations why smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis. The mechanism of how T-cell function contributes to increase the severity of periodontal breakdown in smoking periodontitis patients needs to be investigated further.

• Authors: Bruno G Loos, Marijke T L Roos, Peter Th A Schellekens, Ubele van der Velden, Frank Miedema
• Journal: Journal of periodontology (J Periodontol) Vol. 75 Issue 4 Pg. 557-64 (Apr 2004) ISSN: 0022-3492 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15152820 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD19
• CD3 Complex
• Phytohemagglutinins

Topics

• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Antigens, CD19
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• CD3 Complex
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Female
• Humans
• Immunophenotyping
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Lymphocyte Count
• Male
• Periodontitis (blood, etiology, immunology)
• Phytohemagglutinins (immunology)
• Risk Factors
• Smoking (adverse effects, blood, immunology)
• T-Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)