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Published on: August 6, 2019
Regulatory T-cells in periapical lesions
M Colić1, D Gazivoda, D Vucević
1Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska 17, 11002 Belgrade, Serbia. vmaimi@eunet.rs
Journal of Dental Research
|October 16, 2009
Summary
Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are found in periapical lesions and suppress immune responses by producing IL-10 and TGF-beta. These findings highlight Tregs
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oral Pathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are critical for immune regulation.
- The presence and role of Tregs in periapical lesions remain uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and function of Tregs in human periapical lesions.
- To determine if Tregs in periapical lesions inhibit T-cell proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were used to identify and quantify Tregs.
- Functional assays assessed Treg-mediated inhibition of T-cell proliferation.
- Cytokine analysis (IL-10, TGF-beta) was performed on culture supernatants.
Main Results:
- CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) cells were identified in periapical lesions.
- Tregs in lesions expressed IL-10 and TGF-beta, with higher frequencies than in peripheral blood.
- Treg frequency correlated with lesion cytokine levels and Treg suppressed T-cell proliferation in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Periapical lesions harbor CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells.
- These Tregs contribute to immune regulation within periapical lesions, partly via IL-10 production.
- Tregs may play a significant role in modulating local immune and inflammatory responses in periapical disease.
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