ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of E. faecalis on chemotactic and oxidative burst activity of polimorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) using transwell system and flow cytometry. PMNL cultures of six healthy donors were incubated with or without E. faecalis culture supernatants in order to determine the effects of this microorganism on PMNL functions. In addition, the effects of soluble factors derived from active mononuclear cells on the PMNL functions against E. faecalis were tested in culture conditions. Chemotactic and oxidative burst activity were significantly higher in PMNL cultures with E. faecalis culture supernatants alone or combined with stimulated mononuclear cell culture supernatants than those of PMNL cultures without E. faecalis and stimulated mononuclear cell culture supernatants. Oxidative burst activity in PMNL cultures combined with E. faecalis and stimulated mononuclear cell culture supernatants were also higher than those of PMNL cultures with E. faecalis culture supernatants alone. In conclusion, increased PMNL functions by mononuclear cells may have possible contributions to tissue damage in the endodontic infections with E. faecalis. Additionally, soluble factors produced by active mononuclear cells may indirectly contribute to this process.

Keywords: Chemotaxis, Enterococcus faecalis, oxidative burst