1995 Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 52-55
Abstract : The localization and origin of immunoglobulins in dentinal tubules of 10 vital and 10 nonvital human third molars having dentinal caries were investigated. The extracted teeth were prepared by Brown-Brenn staining for detection of bacterial invasion and immunohistochemical staining to determine the rate of various classes of immunoglobulins penetration into dentinal tubules. In vital teeth, all classes of immunoglobulins, excluding sIgA, penetrated into the dentinal tubules together with bacterial invasion. In contrast, their penetration rate in nonvital teeth was lower than that of bacterial invasion. These results suggest that the vital pulp tissue supplies the intratubular immunoglobulins. However, saliva may also contribute a large amount of immunoglobulins.
