[Quantitative evaluation of the immunoglobulin G, A and M in the human dental pulp]

The presence of immunoglobulins G, A and M was studied in human dental pulps using a quantitative method of radial immunodiffusion. Valid data on the amounts of IgG, IgA and IgM were obtained on the basis of measured concentrations of immunoglobulins in each pulp sample and their correlation with total protein concentrations. The results indicated IgG to be present in 100%, IgA in 15% and IgM in 8% of 13 pulp samples affected by chronic inflammation. The mean values of IgG, IgA and IgM thus determined were 84.3, 4.4 and 1.4 mg/g protein, respectively. In intact pulp tissue, however, no presence of immunoglobulins G, A and M could be detected using the same method as above. The results obtained suggested the possibility of local synthesis of immunoglobulins in chronically inflamed pulp tissue, indicated that nonspecific inflammatory reaction may have occurred concurrently with some specific immunologic reactions. The predominance of IgG pointed to immunologic reactions of early types II and III hypersensitivity.