Regulatory T-cells in Periapical Lesions

Abstract

CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are of crucial importance in regulating the immune response, including the control of any defense against infection. Their presence in periapical lesions has not been demonstrated, as yet. We hypothesized that Tregs infiltrate periapical lesions, where they inhibit T-cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to characterize Tregs in periapical lesions by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and functional assays. We showed that CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) cells in periapical lesions expressed IL-10 and TGF-beta. Their frequency was significantly higher than in peripheral blood and correlated with the levels of TGF-beta and IL-10 in culture supernatants of periapical lesion mononuclear cells. Tregs inhibited the proliferation of responder T-cells in vitro, at least in part, by stimulating the production of IL-10. These findings suggest that CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) cells in periapical lesions may play regulatory roles in controlling local immune/inflammatory processes.

Treg and Th17 cells in inflammatory periapical disease: a systematic review

“…In phase 2, the full-text of 18 studies were retrieved and evaluated. Of those, only eight 14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21 met the eligibility criteria. No additional study was identified in the reference lists of the included articles and in the grey literature.…”

“…14,15,18,21 All studies involved human periapical lesion fragments. Samples of six articles 14,15,18,19,20,21 were obtained directly through surgery and samples of the other two studies were obtained through institutional archives collected from previous surgical procedures. 16,17 Fou r a r t icles repor ted t he mea n age of participants 18,19,20,21 and five studies defined the range between 17 and 64 years.…”

“…Samples of six articles 14,15,18,19,20,21 were obtained directly through surgery and samples of the other two studies were obtained through institutional archives collected from previous surgical procedures. 16,17 Fou r a r t icles repor ted t he mea n age of participants 18,19,20,21 and five studies defined the range between 17 and 64 years. 14,15,19,20,21 The language of the articles was predominantly English, although the studies were conducted in different countries (Brazil, United States and Serbia).…”

“…16,17 Fou r a r t icles repor ted t he mea n age of participants 18,19,20,21 and five studies defined the range between 17 and 64 years. 14,15,19,20,21 The language of the articles was predominantly English, although the studies were conducted in different countries (Brazil, United States and Serbia). The analytical method used in two studies was the ELISA method.…”

“…The analytical method used in two studies was the ELISA method. 18,20 Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used in three studies, 14,15,21 flow cytometry in two studies, 19,20 confocal microscopy in one study, 19 and immunohistochemistry was used in four studies. 16,17,18,20 The entire description of studies characteristics is shown in Table 2.…”