In situ characterization of cell infiltrates in human dental periapical granulomas. 2. Demonstration of receptors for the complement components C3b and C3d.

The inflammatory cell infiltrates in human dental periapical granulomas were studied through the demonstration of receptors (R) for fragments C3b and C3d of the complement component C3, C3bR and C3dR were detected in cryostat sections by the closed chamber hemadsorption technique. Sheep erythrocytes sensitized with rabbit IgM antibody and coated with human C3B or C3d were used as indicator cells. Of the 62 granulomas studied, 23 showed strong or moderate C3bR activity, and weak C3dR activity was detected in 5 out of 25 specimens. The C3bR activity was abolished by treatment with 0.25 mM periodic acid, indicating that carbohydrate is a part of the C3bR. Using an antiserum to C3R as first layer in indirect immunofluorescence experiments, the C3R was localized to cell membranes. The low C3dR activity indicates that a minor part of the mononuclear cells in the human periapical granulomas were B lymphocytes.