The fine structure of gingivitis in the beagle. 3. Plasma cell infiltration of the subepithelial connective tissue.

Abstract

The subepithelial connective tissues of chronically inflamed gingiva were infiltrated by numerous well developed plasma cells. These cells were usually grouped together forming islands of cells which exhibited similar degrees of cytoplasmic differentiation. Young plasma cells contained well developed Golgi areas and an abundant system of granular endoplasmic reticulum, in the form of parallel stacks of flattened cisternae. In more mature plasma cells the cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum were usually dilated by an accumulation of granular material Occasional plasma cells contained extremely large elements of endoplasmic reticulum (Russell bodies) while others contained crystalloid deposits within the cistemae of the reticulum. The degeneration of plasma cells with a consequent release of their cytoplasmic contents was frequently observed. Such cells were usually located near the sulcular epithelium while most of the normal plasma cells were usually located within the deeper connective tissue. These observations suggest that the liberation of antibody in the region of the inflamed sulcular epithelium may proceed via the degeneration of mature plasma cells.