Primate Monocytes - CD14, CD16 - Ziegler-Heitbrock

Comparison of the Proportion of Non Classical (CD14+ CD16+) Monocytes/Macrophages in Peripheral Blood and Gingiva of Healthy Individuals and Chronic Periodontitis Patients.

Abstract

Background: Monocyte subsets with low CD14 expression that co-express CD16 (CD14+ CD16+) are called non-classical or hyper inflammatory monocytes. Previous studies have reported an increase in the percentage of CD14+ CD16+ monocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic periodontitis. Till date there are no reports demonstrating the presence of CD14+ CD16+ monocyte derived macrophages in the gingival tissue. The objective of the study was to identify the proportion of non classical (CD14+ CD16+) monocytes/macrophages in peripheral blood and gingiva of healthy individuals and chronic periodontitis patients. Methods: A total of sixty individuals (n=30 per group) were recruited for the study. Group one included 30 individuals with healthy gingiva and group two included 30 chronic periodontitis patients. Direct immunofluorescent staining was done in 200 µl of whole blood and single cell suspensions obtained from gingival tissue; with fluorochrome conjugated monoclonal antibodies against CD14, CD16 and HLA DR and subjected to flow cytometric analysis. Results: The mean percentage of CD14+CD16+ monocytes in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals was 9.10+1.39% and chronic periodontitis patients was 14.18+2.69% (p<0.05). The mean percentage of CD14+CD16+ monocyte derived macrophages in the gingival tissue of healthy individuals was found to be 0.93+0.33% whereas in chronic periodontitis patients it was 1.92+0.78% (p<0.01). Non classical monocytes/macrophages showed a high median fluorescent intensity for HLA DR (DR++). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an increased proportion of CD14+CD16+HLA DR++ monocytes/macrophages in the peripheral blood and gingiva of chronic periodontitis patients.