Soluble proteins in fluid from non-keratinizing jaw cysts in man.

Fluids from non-keratinizing cysts of the jaws contain the main proteins found in plasma. The low relative concentration of macromolecular non-immunoglobulin proteins shows that there is no free passage of plasma proteins into the cyst fluid. Sufficient evidence was found to conclude that the immunoglobulins in cyst fluid are partly produced locally and partly derived from plasma. Cyst fluid immunoglobulins have antibody activity to rabbit erythrocytes. Accumulation of cyst fluid is primarily due to inadequate lymphatic drainage of the cyst cavity. Differential diagnosis between various types of non-keratinizing cysts cannot be based on the plasma protein patterns of their fluids.