Specific antibody in gingiva and submandibular nodes of monkeys with allergic periodontal disease

Gingiva and submandibular lymph nodes from 12 squirrel monkeys that had been sensitized to ovalbumin, and from 4 unsensitized monkeys, were studied for the presence of cells containing specific antibody after intracrevicular challenge with ovalbumin‐soaked thread. Immunofluorescent methods were used to identify antibody to ovalbumin in cells in these tissues. The chronic allergic response in the gingiva of sensitized animals that had been challenged three times per week for three months did include cells containing antibody to the antigen used for sensitization and challenge. Such cells were not found in gingiva from similarly treated unsensitized monkeys, or from sensitized monkeys challenged for a shorter time. A few antibody‐containing cells were found in the submandibular lymph nodes ipsilateral to chronic intracrevicular placement of antigen in unsensitized animals, indicating active sensitization by gingival absorption of antigen. Antibody formation by cells in submandibular nodes, induced by systemic sensitization, was continued in nodes ipsilateral to gingival challenge, but tended to disappear in contralateral nodes.