CD45/isotypes expression in the immune cells of human periapical lesions.

Expression of some leukocyte antigens (including CD45) and its isoforms (CD2, CD4, CD5, CD6, CD7, and CD8) was examined in the human periapical granulation tissue samples in the present study. The majority of the infiltrating cells expressed heavy molecular-weight isoforms of the CD45 antigen. Expression of CD2, CD5, CD6, and CD7 antigens was also detected, implying significant roles for these antigens in the immune reaction taking place in periapical lesions. This suggests that the immune response taking place at the periapical region is predominantly cellular and the humoral responses to antigenic challenge are conducted mainly by regional lymph nodes.