In situ characterization of the inflammatory cell infiltrates of hyperplastic denture stomatitis

Cryostat sections from 14 surgical specimens were examined to determine whether selected factors of the immune response related to histopathological reactions are present in the palatal mucosa affected by hyperplastic denture stomatitis. By means of various immunological techniques the presence of IgG, IgA, IgM, complement factor C3c, receptors for the Fc region of IgG (FcR) and for complement factor C3b (C3bR), T lymphocytes, and macrophages were studied. The inflammatory infiltrate was mainly located in the papillary part of the lamina propria. IgG, IgA, and IgM appeared both in plasma cells and intercellularly. FcR, C3bR, and T lymphocytes were present in the areas with inflammatory cell infiltrate. Macrophages were found in the papillary part of the lamina propria and within the epithelium. The immunological response in the mucosa affected by denture stomatitis was in many respects similar to that of marginal and apical periodontitis. We conclude that hyperplastic denture stomatitis is a complex inflammatory lesion showing elements of both humoral and cellular immune responses.