Antigen-presenting cells in human immunosuppressive drug-induced gingival enlargement

An immunoperoxidase technique was used to compare the number of CD1a+ and factor XIIIa+ dendritic cells (DCs), and CD68+ Macrophages (M) in 30 gingival samples from subjects with clinically healthy periodontitium (HP) and 10 samples from subjects with drug-induced gingival enlargement (DIGE). Fewer CD1a+ and factor XIIIa+ DCs were found in areas with inflammatory infiltration (II) of the lamina propria (LP) in the group with immunosuppressed DIGE (IDIGE) compared to the group with HP. In the sulcular and junctional/pocket epithelia, the number of CD1a+ DCs was decreased in the group with IDIGE (p < 0.05). There was a tendency toward a reduced number of CD1a+ DCs and CD68+ M in areas without inflammatory infiltrate of the LP in the group with IDIGE. The alterations in the number of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) may be the reason for the decreased periodontal inflammation and breakdown clinically observed in subjects who are immunosuppressed.