Presence of natural killer cells in human chronic periapical lesions

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphoid in nature and appear to kill target cells (neoplastic and virus-infected cells) without apparent prior immunization. Ten human chronic periapical lesions were examined for the presence of these cells. The lesions were collected, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and sectioned. They were then stained with an indirect immunoperoxidase procedure for the presence of human NK cells. Human tonsils and human periapical scar tissue were used as positive and negative controls. The results showed absence of NK cells in scar tissue and the presence of NK cells in tonsils and all samples of human periapical lesions. NK cells may play a defensive role in controlling root canal infections or, possibly, a role in its pathogenesis.