Immune response in the periapical tissue to antigens via the root canal

Abstract

I examined the relation between the development of periapical lesions and the immune response. Key-hole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant or KLH-coupled polystyrene beads was injected as antigen into the root canals of rat mandibular first molars. The possible involvement of cell-mediated immune response and of antibody production were examined. The lesions were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Although lymphocyte proliferation was not demonstrated, antibodies were produced. Also, no involvement of immune responses could be observed in the experimental periapical granulomas.