bromochloroacetic-acid and Stomatitis--Aphthous

In all mammalian species so far examined, Langerhans cells or their precursors are the only epidermal cells expressing Ia antigens or their equivalents. In man, xeno-antisera raised in rabbits against purified B-lymphocyte cell membrane antigens were utilized to stain the Langerhans cells by either fluorescent or immunoferritin methods. As high proportion of the indeterminate cells in the epidermis also expressed HLA-DR antigens, and a relationship to Langerhans cells is suggested. Confirmation of these results was obtained in mouse. Alloantisera raised against I-A and I-EC subregion products again stained only Langerhans cells. Fluorescent, immunoperoxidase, and immunoferritin methods were used and confirmation of the specificity of the reaction was achieved at the electron microscope level. Langerhans cells were shown by ATPase staining to be absent from the epithelium of the central cornea, but present in the limbus. Population of the entire corneal epithelium surface was induced by application of irritants or contact sensitizing agents such as DNCB. Grafting of corneas either deficient or populated with Langerhans cells, to skin beds, may answer the question of the influence of such cells on allograft rejection.

Topics: Animals; Behcet Syndrome; Cattle; Cell Communication; Chickens; Chiroptera; Cricetinae; Dermatitis, Contact; Female; Guinea Pigs; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; HLA Antigens; Humans; Keratins; Langerhans Cells; Lorisidae; Lymph Nodes; Lymphocytes; Mice; Mitosis; Mycosis Fungoides; Rabbits; Rats; Receptors, Immunologic; Sheep; Stomatitis, Aphthous; Swine; T-Lymphocytes; Thymus Gland

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common ulcers affecting the oral cavity. Though it is known that RAS affects only the lining (non-keratinized) mucosa sparing the masticatory (keratinized) mucosa and is unlikely to be seen in smokers, no concrete explanations have been put forward. A hypothesis is proposed that the keratin layer blocks the ingress of antigens and prevents the occurrence of RAS on masticatory mucosa. Similarly, combustible products of smoking are known to cause keratinization and therefore have a similar effect on the lining mucosa and inhibit its occurrence. In addition, nicotine or its metabolites can result in decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins 1 and 6, and increase of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Consequently, there is reduced susceptibility to RAS due to immunosuppression and/or reduction in inflammatory response.

Topics: Humans; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-6; Keratins; Mouth Mucosa; Smoking; Stomatitis, Aphthous; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics: Aspirin; Candidiasis; Cheilitis; Denture, Complete; Diagnosis, Oral; Foreign Bodies; Hyperplasia; Keratins; Leukoplakia; Lichen Planus; Palatal Neoplasms; Phenols; Salivary Duct Calculi; Stomatitis; Stomatitis, Aphthous; Stomatitis, Denture

Cytochemical studies of glycogen of oral mucosa cells have been made on the smears by freeze-drying and PAS staining. The specimens were obtained from different areas of oral cavity of 77 human subjects and an attempt was made to find some interrelation amoung glycogen deposition, keratinization and inflammation. The largest glycogen deposition was found in the mucosa cells from mouth floor and cheek, a little in those from gingiva and quite a small or no glycogen in those from mucosa of hard palate and tongue. In gingiva the cells showing much more keratinization were less in glycogen contents, and vice versa. In inflammation some increase in glycogen contents were found in the gingivitis and the highest glycogen content in the cases of denture irritation of the palate as far as the present observation is concerned.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cheek; Denture, Complete; Female; Gingiva; Gingivitis; Glycogen; Humans; Inflammation; Keratins; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Diseases; Mouth Floor; Mouth Mucosa; Palate; Stomatitis, Aphthous; Tongue