Study of the expression of CD68+ macrophages and CD8+ T cells in human granulomas and periapical cysts.

In the periapex, the interaction among inflammatory cells and microorganisms and their products results both in specific and nonspecific immune responses. Many studies have reported quantitative analysis of the immunocompetent cells in periapical lesions, but the exact ratio of these cells in cysts and granulomas remains unknown. In the present study, we undertook a quantitative analysis of CD68+ cells and CD8+ T cells in human periapical granulomas and cysts. Immunoperoxidase staining revealed that CD68+ cells were present in both lesions, with no statistically significant difference, mainly distributed in the inner portion of the lesion, where the inflammation site is more active. On the other hand, CD8+ lymphocytes were more numerous in cysts. Thus, it appears that CD8+ T cells may play a more important role in a later phase of periapical lesion progression, probably exerting regulatory or cytotoxic functions in cellular immune response, which may lead to the stabilization of these lesions.