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Cytokine induction by Streptococcus mutans and pulpal pathogenesis
1Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA. chahn@hsc.vcu.edu
Infection and Immunity
|November 18, 2000
Summary
Streptococcus mutans in early caries strongly activates CD8+ T cells and induces type 1 cytokines like gamma interferon (IFN-γ). This suggests S. mutans drives initial pulpitis and pulpal pathology.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Dentistry
Background:
- Chronic pulpal inflammation is linked to bacterial antigens entering the pulp via dentinal tubules.
- Streptococcus mutans often dominates shallow caries, potentially initiating T-cell responses in the pulp.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Streptococcus mutans in eliciting T-cell responses and cytokines in early pulpitis.
- To compare the effects of S. mutans with Lactobacillus casei in pulpal inflammation models.
Main Methods:
- Examined S. mutans' ability to stimulate T cells and cytokines in vitro.
- Analyzed inflammatory cytokine mRNA (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10) presence in human dental pulp.
- Correlated cytokine prevalence with caries depth and bacterial presence.
Main Results:
- S. mutans induced significant gamma interferon (IFN-γ) responses and promoted CD8+ T cells.
- IFN-γ was more prevalent (67%) than IL-4 (19%) or IL-10 (29%) in shallow caries, indicating a type 1 cytokine response.
- IFN-γ presence in pulp correlated with S. mutans detection.
Conclusions:
- S. mutans drives a type 1 cytokine response and CD8+ T-cell activation in early pulpitis.
- This mechanism explains CD8+ T-cell-dominant lesions in early pulpitis.
- S. mutans significantly impacts initial carious lesions and subsequent pulpal pathology.