Immunohistological study of interferon-gamma- and interleukin-4-bearing cells in human periodontitis gingiva

The purpose was to investigate the balance between interferon (IFN)-Y- and interleukin (IL)-4-bearing cells in various human inflamed gingiva by immun ohistochemistry. Gingival tissues obtained from patients with gingivitis or periodontitis were divided into three groups based on the degree of histop athological inflammation, mild, moderate and severe. The tissues were also divided into four groups according to the clinical probing depth (PD). IFN- Y- and IL-4-bearing cells in gingival tissues were stained immunohistologic ally and counted. The ratio of IL-4-bearing cells to IFN-Y-bearing cells wa s calculated for each section. IFN-Y-bearing cells were widespread in the c onnective tissue and their number increased significantly with the severity of inflammation and an increase of PD. IL-4-bearing cells were located ben eath the pocket epithelium and their number showed no significant differenc es among the inflammation or PD groups. The ratios of IL-4-bearing cells to IFN-T-bearing cells in the severe inflammation or deep PD groups were sign ificantly lower than those in the moderate inflammation or shallow PD group s. These results suggest that a low ratio of IL-4-bearing cells to IFN-Y-be aring cells might be involved in the destruction of periodontal tissue. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.