Effect of sonicated material from Fusobacterium nucleatum on the functional capacity of accessory cells derived from dental pulp

Fusobacterium nucleatum -derived components were studied for their effect on the ability of accessory pulpal cells to induce T-lymphocyte proliferation. In initial experiments, spleen cells were used to establish concentration ranges at which testing of the effect of the bacterial components would be suitable. At low concentrations, bacterial substances induced a stimulatory effect on the proliferation rate of spleen cells, but not when purified T-lymphocytes were incubated in the presence of concanavalin A and pulpal accessory cells. At increasing concentrations, a dose-dependent reduction was observed. Pretreatment with the bacterial products for 4 h gave a stimulatory effect in the absence of concanavalin A for both spleen cells and T-lymphocytes. Removal of low-molecular-weight components (<3.5 kDa) did not influence the inhibitory effect, whereas preheating the bacterial substances to 100°C eliminated the observed inhibition. Findings show that heat-sensitive, high-molecular-weight components of F. nucleatum can evoke a concentration-dependent stimulatory or suppressive effect on the proliferation rate of T-lymphocytes in the presence of accessory cells derived from the dental pulp.