Blastogenic response of human lymphocytes to antigens of Rothia dentocariosa

Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from 20 individuals with varying degrees of periodontal health and classified as either normal, having acute gingivitis (GV), or chronic periodontitis (PD). Crude cell wall and cytoplasmic antigens were derived from Rothia dentocariosa (RD), were applied to lymphocyte microcultures, and subjected to radioactive thymidine; the resulting lymphocyte blastogenesis (LB) was surveyed with a scintillation counter. All three groups displayed statistically similar levels of stimulation (F = 0.71), demonstrating that crude antigens of RD are not appreciably active in vitro studies of cell-mediated immunity (CMI), as measured by LB.