Periapical lesions develop as a result of immunopathologic response to irritants from infected root canal systems. Removal of these irritants from the root canal system and sealing the root canal space may induce he31ing of the periapical lesions. 83 periapical lesions diagnosed as periapical abscess, periapical granuloma, chronic nonspecific inflammation, fibrosis and periapical Cyst were evaluated for the distribution of immunoglobulin containing cells. The influence of the state of root canal treatment on the distribution of immunoglobulin containing cells has evaluated. All lesions were divided into a group with no treatment, a group with canal enlargement, a group filled with gutta percha, and a group filled with Vitapex(calcium hydroxide). The distribution of immunoglobulin-containing cells according to the presence of pain and fistula was also evaluated. The following results were obtained. 1. Statistically significant difference in the distribution of immunoglobulin-containing cells among periapical abscess, periapical granuloma, chronic nonspecific inflammation/fibrosis and periapical cyst were found.(Kruskal-Wallis analysis, P<0.05) The number of immunoglobulin-containing cells in fibrosis was remarkably lower than that of periapical abscess, granuloma and cyst. 2. IgM and IgA containing cells were predominantly observed in periapical abscesses and periapical cysts, respectively. 3. All periapical lesions showed a large number of IgG containing cells followed by IgM, IgA and IgE containing cells. 4. There was a decrease in all Ig-containing cells in the group with canal filling compared to groups without treatment or with enlargement. That is, there is a decrease in Ig-containing cells as treatment progresses. 5. No significant correlation existed between the presence of pain and fistula and the distribution of immunoglobulin containing cells in periapical lesions.(t-test) Results appear to support that immune response are actively involved in the development and progress in periapical lesions. The fact that distribution of immunoglobulins differ according to the state of endodontic treatment suggests that root canal treatment may alter the humoral immune response of the periapical lesions.