Figure 4. Immunocytochemical expression of Mac-1 (A), iNOS (B), IL-1ß (C), and TNF- (D) by dentin-extract-treated macrophages. Thioglycolate-elicited macrophages were treated with particulate dentin extracts (D-part) (5 mg/mL) for 48 hrs. Sections in (E) and (F) are from control groups (original magnifications: A and F, 300x; B and C, 500x; D, 600x; E, 400x). (G) Postulated scheme of participation of dentin in the maintenance of external inflammatory root and bone resorption. In addition to bacteria and their products and inflammatory cell-derived cytokines, dentin may directly cause cell migration and activation (adapted from Susuki et al., 1999).

Return to article