Role of Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils in the Clearance of Enterococcus faecalis Derived from Saliva and Infected Root Canals

E. faecalis strains from saliva and infected root canals have the potential to recruit PMNs in the infectious sites leading to inflammation via up-regulation of PMN IL-1α, TNF-α, MMP-8, and COX-2. PMNs can play an important role in killing of E. faecalis.