Natural immunity in recurrent aphthous ulceration

In the present study we investigated immunophenotypes of peripheral blood l ymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cell activity as well as spontaneous migrat ion, ingestion, digestion and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) as effector functions of polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs) in 51 patients with acute stage recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU), during remission, and 47 age-matched healthy individuals. Statistically si gnificant lower B-lymphocyte (CD19) Values were found between patients with acute RAU, and those during the remission period (P<0.001), when compared with those of the controls. Total T-lymphocyte (CD3) percentages were lower in patients with RAU, and also during the remission period, when compared with the controls (P<0.001). The percentages of CD4 lymphocytes were signif icantly lower in patients with RAU in comparison with those of the controls (P<0.001). T-suppressor cells (CD8) were unchanged in all three groups of participants. Significantly lower spontaneous migration and ingestion Value s were found in patients with acute RAU, when compared with those of the co ntrols, and during the remission period (P<0.001). Digestion values differe d insignificantly between the patients with acute RAU and during the remiss ion period. During the remission period, digestion Values were significantl y elevated when compared with those of the controls (P<0.05). ADCC Values w ere lower during the remission period (P<0.001), when compared with the val ues during acute RAU and with those of the controls. Significantly depresse d NK activity (P<0.001) was observed in patients with acute RAU, when compa red with that of the controls. During the remission period, Values of NK ac tivity were also lower (P<0.001) when compared with those of the controls. These results suggest either a specific or nonspecific immunological disord er in patients with RAU.