Detection of human IL-2 in normal and inflamed dental pulps

Irreversible pulpitis has been associated with an increase in the number of pulpal T-cells. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulates T-cell proliferation and signals the release of other proinflammatory mediators associated with connective tissue degradation. IL-2 has been suggested to be a useful marker of pathologic inflammatory activity in periodontal and systemic disease conditions. The purpose of this study was to analyze normal and inflamed dental pulps for the presence of immunoreactive IL-2 (iIL-2). Normal healthy pulpal tissue was obtained from 17 impacted third molars and inflamed samples were obtained from 12 symptomatic carious molars clinically diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis. Pulpal tissues were collected, prepared, and analyzed for histological status and iIL-2 concentration by a modified ELISA technique. iIL-2 was detected in all vital pulpal tissues. A t-test revealed significant differences in iIL-2 concentrations when inflamed pulpal tissues were compared to normal healthy samples (T = -2.75, p < 0.05). These results suggest that iIL-2 may serve as a marker of pathologic inflammatory activity in irreversible pulpitis.