The further localization of antibody on cemental tissue.

In order to increase our understanding of the immunologic aspects of periodontal disease, three groups of extracted human teeth were evaluated for the presence of antibody on the cementum surface. Antibody was demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence using monospecific antibody with human alpha , gamma and upsilon chain activity. The cemental surfaces of teeth with no clinical evidence of periodontal disease or teeth with gingivitis demonstrated no antibody. On the other hand, teeth involved with severe periodontal disease demonstrated positive fluorescence on root surfaces within the pockets, indicating the presence of antibody. No fluorescence was seen below the deepest point of the pocket. Furthermore, we have been studying a component recovered from the surface of teeth exposed to a periodontal pocket. Inhibition studies between serum antibody, extracted antigen and the antigen and antibody on the tooth surface suggest that we are dealing with the same antigen-antibody complex in all cases.