A method for studying immunoglobulin synthesis by gingival cells

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Abstract
A method was developed for the culture and the measurement of immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis by the relatively small numbers of mononuclear cells recoverable from periodontal disease tissues. In this system, we demonstrated that mononuclear cells actively synthesize Ig, remain viable and proliferate. The sensitivity of the quantitative Biotin‐Avidin enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) procedure developed was tenfold greater than the conventional ELISA for IgG, IgM and IgA measurement. Studies of Ig synthesis by varying cell numbers indicated that 25,000 cells synthesized at least as much IgG, IgA and IgM as any higher number of cells (50‐500,000) tested. Varying the numbers of cells cultured also did not alter the kinetics of Ig synthesis in this system. The composition of the gingival mononuclear cells was studied. These cells consisted of approximately 21% T4 positive cells, 20% T8 positive cells, 42% Ig‐positive cells and 6% adherent, NSE‐positive cells. Ig synthesis by gingival and PB cells in the presence and absence of mitogen was used as an indicator of functional capability of the resident population derived from diseased periodontal tissues.