The vital status of human buccal epithelial cells and the bacteria associated with them

• Published in: Archives of oral biology Vol. 51; no. 4; pp. 291 - 298
• Main Authors: Rudney, J.D., Chen, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - physiology; Bacteria; Buccal epithelial cells; Colony Count, Microbial; Dead; Epithelial Cells - microbiology; Fluorescent Dyes - analysis; Humans; Live; Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods; Mouth Mucosa - cytology; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Streptococcus mitis - physiology; Vital stains; Live; Bacteria; Dead; Vital stains; Buccal epithelial cells; Apoptosis

We have shown that buccal epithelial cells (BEC) from humans can contain a polymicrobial intracellular flora. Members of that flora can induce proinflammatory responses. However, our subjects all had healthy oral mucosa. This might reflect tolerance of bacterial invasion by live BEC. Alternatively,...