Introduction: Recently our group could show that spontaneous T-lymphocyte migration regulated by protein tyrosin kinase (PTK) being different from the protein kinase C (PKC) regulated induced type of migration in a 3-D collagen matrix model is modulated by foreign bodies such as dental alloys. However, little is known about the transition from the motile into a sessile state induced by 'foreign bodies' placed subgingival or by impaired immune reponse in periodontally compromized patients. Specific T-cell activation requires stable cell-cell interaction. In our in vitro model we tested the hypothesis of whether changes of locomotory behavior and receptor expression of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes after induction of chemotaxis by different 'foreign bodies' (precious-pa, reduced precious dental alloys-rpa), cell-cell and mediated (via secreted signal substances) and interactions with different tumor cells could be ascribed to changes of the T-cell regulatory signal transduction of migration and receptor expression mimicing the influence of both either artificial tooth surfaces either impaired immune response on the development of periodontal diseases. Materials and Methods: The locomotion of immunomagnetically isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes suspended in100 µl PBS and 200 µl type I 3-D collagen gels was recorded using time-lapse videomicroscopy as previously described. Computer assisted cell tracking was analyzed as to the percentage of cells moving and to the velocity influenced by 2 dental alloys and with epithelial carcinoma cells from breast (MDA-MB-468), bladder (T24) and colon (SW480). CD25 as well as CD45R0 receptor expression of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes governing cell-dental material with 2 different groups of dental alloys and direct and mediated cellular interactions with the three lines of carcinoma cells were assessed by FACS analysis after 24h of incubation. Results: The medium percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells migrating was reduced on the 2 dental alloys tested versus the controls (pa 85,9%, rpa 39,7%) whereas being enhanced on titanium (110,9%). The velocity was reduced in all cases (pa=63,3%, rpa=39,4%, cp-Ti=28%) whereas percentage and velocity of T lymphocytes in direct and indirect cell interaction were enhanced. The results were highly significant (Mann-Whitney-U-test, pConclusions: We presume that CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes are migrating in a 3-D collagen matrix migration model influenced by the eluated ion-profiles of the oxide material top layers in a concentration dependent manner. Thus the cell-material governed alterations of migration do not seem to be interdependent on the alterations of the expression of CD25 and CD45RO T lymphocyte cell receptors while enhanced migration due more to direct than to indirect cell interactions is coincident with changes in the status of activation of these receptors. This model is suitable for investigating further items of signal transduction pathways within cell migration and for the evaluation of modulating factors leading to impaired host response in immunologically compromized patients with periodontal diseases. Schlagwörter: in vitro-Model, migration assay, impaired Immune Response, chronic periodontitis