Identification of cells expressing T and p28,33 (la‐like) antigens in sections of human chronic inflammatory periodontal disease

Previous studies have indicated that the lymphocytes present in progressive human chronic inflammatory periodontal disease may be of B‐cell origin. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the usefulness of specific antisera to lymphocyte differentiation antigens in identifying the cell subpopulations in situ in the chronic inflammatory lesion. Both HuTLA + (5–10%) and p28,33 + (90–95%) cells were identified. Although the p28,33 + population may include macrophages and a subset of T‐cells, the majority of cells are probably of B‐cell origin. This supports earlier suggestions that progressive periodontal disease in humans is a B‐cell lesion and demonstrates that antisera to lymphocyte differentiation antigens in an immunofluorescence assay will delineate cell subpopulations in situ in a chronic inflammatory lesion.