基质细胞衍生因子1在人炎症牙髓组织中表达的实验研究

目的:研究基质细胞衍生因子1(Stromal cell-derived factor-1,SDF-1)及其受体CXCR4在人炎性牙髓组织中的表达,探讨SDF-1/CXCR4轴在牙髓炎症发生发展中的可能作用。方法:采用免疫组织化学染色的方法检测SDF-1和CXCR4阳性细胞在健康、炎症牙髓组织中的分布情况。以实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测SDF-1mRNA在健康和炎症牙髓中的表达。结果:炎性牙髓中SDF-1、CXCR4主要分布于炎性细胞、成牙本质细胞和微血管内皮细胞。而正常组牙髓少见SDF-1、CXCR4阳性细胞。炎性牙髓中SDF-1mRNA的表达较健康牙髓显著增强。结论:与正常牙髓相比,炎性牙髓组织中SDF-1、CXCR4阳性细胞明显增多。炎性牙髓中SDF-1表达水平明显上调。SDF-1/CXCR4轴可能参与了牙髓炎症损伤和修复过程。     

脂多糖刺激人牙髓干细胞分泌的外泌体联合基质细胞衍生因子-1对牙髓再生的影响

目的探讨轻度炎症状态下人牙髓干细胞(human dental pulp stem cell,hDPSC)产生的外泌体与基质细胞衍生因子-1(stromal cell-derived factor-1,SDF-1)联合应用对牙髓组织再生的影响。方法分离培养hDPSC,脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)刺激hDPSC,超速离心法提取hDPSC经LPS刺激后产生的外泌体(exosomes from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated hDPSC,L-EXO)和正常状态下分泌的外泌体(exosome from normal hDPSC,N-EXO),通过透射电镜和蛋白质印迹法鉴定提取物。将40只6~8周龄的SD大鼠通过随机数字表法分为S组(单独应用SDF-1)、L+S组(SDF-1与L-EXO联合应用)、N+S组(SDF-1与N-EXO联合应用)和空白对照组(根管内不植入任何物质),每组10只。以双侧下颌第一磨牙为实验牙,建立大鼠无髓根管模型,根据分组分别在根管内植入不同的内容物。植入后30 d过量麻醉处死所有大鼠,取大鼠双侧下颌骨组织,应用HE、Masson及免疫组织化学染色法进行组织学评价。结果HE染色结果显示,除空白对照组外,其他3组根管内均可见新生牙髓样组织,其中L+S组根管内新生组织的量及组织中的细胞数量最多,S组最少。Masson染色结果显示,L+S组矿化组织沿根管壁纵向排列,胶原纤维有序排列,N+S组呈无规律紊乱分布。定量分析各组新生血管面积,结果显示L+S组血管密度[(2.03±0.65)%]显著高于S组[(0.65±0.05)%]及N+S组[(1.06±0.38)%](F=5.879,P<0.05)。免疫组织化学结果显示,S组及L+S组的趋化因子受体4表达量显著低于N+S组(F=8.633,P<0.01)。结论hDPSC分泌的外泌体联合SDF-1可提高根管内新生组织的量和组织中的血管密度,L-EXO的作用较N-EXO强,并且新生组织中胶原纤维及矿化组织的排列更规律有序。     

Lymphatic vessels in inflamed human dental pulp

Investigation has been performed on both the light and electron microscopic characteristics of the lymphatic vessels present in the dental pulp of human teeth which have been affected by serious carious lesions. These conditions provoke a severe inflammatory response resulting in structural and functional modifications of the tissue; increase of the tissue pressure is followed by the need for a more intensive lymphatic drainage. In the inflamed pulps, dilated lymphatic vessels with distended walls and "open junctions" between endothelial cells are detectable. On the other hand they lack certain endothelial structures which characterize the morphology of these vessels under normal conditions. In the pulpal regions affected by fibrotic proliferation shrunken vessels with irregular profiles are present. From these observations it is possible to obtain other information on the mechanisms regulating the lymphatic drainage in different structural and functional conditions of the interstitium.     

Mast cells in inflamed human dental pulp

abstract – Dental pulps from 45 caries-free primary or permanent teeth and from 24 carious primary teeth were investigated for presence of mast cells (MC). All the pulps were removed from split teeth and fixed in Newcomer's fluid or lead acetate-formalin. Serial sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin, astra blue (pH 0.2–0.3) + nuclear fast red, and toluidine blue (pH 1.0) demonstrated that pulps without inflammatory cells or with a few small lymphocytes were devoid of typical MC, even in the strongly metachromatic regions. However, MC were noted in all inflamed pulps; the number, distribution, and appearance of the MC depending upon the severity and type of the inflammatory reaction.     

Up-regulation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 in inflamed human dental pulp

Introduction

The innate immune response is activated by recognition of microbial components through specific pattern recognition receptors including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors. However, the regulation of NOD-1 in inflamed human dental pulp remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of NOD-1 in healthy and inflamed human dental pulps. In addition, the secretion of chemokines induced by NOD-1 and the related signaling pathways were studied.

Methods

Samples of human dental pulp tissues were obtained from freshly extracted wisdom teeth. The protein localization of NOD-1 in the pulp tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. In addition, human dental pulp fibroblasts were stimulated with NOD-1 agonist γ-D-glutamylmeso-diaminopimelic acid. Production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways was examined by Western blot analysis, and the association of MAPK signaling with chemokine production was determined.

Results

The results demonstrated the expression of NOD-1 in normal dental pulp, and up-regulated NOD-1 expression was observed in inflamed dental pulp. On stimulation with NOD-1 agonist, production of IL-8 and MCP-1 was induced in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was enhanced by stimulation of NOD-1. With the treatment of p38 MAPK and JNK inhibitors, the NOD-1–induced IL-8 production was suppressed.

Conclusions

In response to microbial invasion, the expression of NOD-1 can be regulated in a ligand-inducible manner. NOD-1 might participate in pulp inflammation through chemokine production via MAPK signaling pathways.     

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme pattern in normal and inflamed human dental pulp

Messelt E. B., Skogedal, O. Erik sen, H.M. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Isoenzyme pattern in normal and Inflamed Human Dental Pulp.

Enzyme variants may serve an adaptive role in providing the correct vectorial properties for the metabolism of a tissue, or broadening its environmental tolerance range.

To determine if the LDH isoenzyme pattern of human dental pulp changes during inflammation, supernatants from normal and inflamed dental pulp homogenates were separated by polyacrylamide gel elec-trophoresis.

Inflamed pulps had a higher M subunit content and a markedly increased enzyme activity. These results might reflect adaptive changes at the enzyme level associated with a partial shiit towards anaerobic metabolism during inflammation of the pulp.     

基质细胞衍生因子1α及其受体CXCR4在人牙髓细胞中的表达

目的 研究体外培养人牙髓细胞(human dental pulp cells,HDPC)上CXCR4的表达情况,检测大肠杆菌脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)刺激后HDPC培养上清液中基质细胞衍生因子1α(stromal cell-derived factor-1α,SDF-1α)的表达水平,探讨人工重组SDF-1α(recombinant human SDF-1α,rhSDF-1α)对HDPC增殖及迁移的影响.方法 采用免疫细胞化学及间接免疫荧光技术检测HDPC上CXCR4的表达.用不同浓度LPS(0.1、1、10、100 mg/L)和TNF-α(1、10、100μg/L)刺激HDPC 48 h后,ELISA法检测HDPC培养上清液中SDF-1α含量的变化.同时甲基噻唑基四唑(MTT)法及体外趋化实验观察不同浓度rhSDF-1α对HDPC增殖及迁移的影响.结果 正常HDPC胞膜表达CXCR4且其培养上清液分泌SDF-1α,浓度约为(4513.55±962.92)ng/L.在用LPS和TNF-α刺激HDPC后,SDF-1α的表达水平均显著降低(P＜0.05).50、100和200μg/L的rhSDF-1α可促进HDPC的增殖(P＜0.05),50和100μg/L rhSDF-1α作用9 h可显著趋化HDPC的迁移(P＜0.01).结论 CXCR4在HDPC上表达且SDF-1α能促进HDPC的增殖及迁移;SDF-1-CXCR4轴可能在牙髓组织损伤修复中发挥重要作用.     

Expression and significance of stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha and its receptor CXCR4 in human dental pulp cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CXCR4 in cultured human dental pulp cells (HDPC) in vitro and the corresponding ligand SDF-1alpha level of HDPC supenatants stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and to explore the role of SDF-1alpha on the proliferation and the migration of HDPC. METHODS: The expression of CXCR4 in HDPC was detected by immunocytochemistry technique and indirect immunofluorescence technique. The culture supernatants of HDPC were collected after HDPC had been simulated by LPS and TNF-alpha of different concentrations for 48h and then the SDF-1alpha level was assayed by quantitative sandwich ELISA. Meanwhile, the effects of recombinant human SDF-1alpha (rhSDF-1alpha) on the proliferation and the migration of HDPC at different concentrations were observed by MTT and Boyden Chamber Assay. RESULTS: CXCR4 was expressed in cytomembrane of HDPC and SDF-1alpha was secreted into their normal cell supernatants with a concentration of (4513.55 +/- 962.92) ng/L. The secretion of SDF-1alpha was both significantly decreased by stimulation with LPS and TNF-alpha (P < 0.05). In addition, rhSDF-1alpha stimulated the HDPC proliferation at the concentrations of 50, 100, 200 microg/L (P < 0.01) and increased the chemotactic migration of HDPC significantly after 9h's incubation with the concentrations of 50, 100 microg/L (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SDF-1alpha accelerated the proliferation and the migration of HDPC which expressed CXCR4. SDF-1-CXCR4 axis may play a role in repair of pulp injury.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in healthy and inflamed human dental pulps.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a glycoprotein that has the capability to increase vascular proliferation and permeability. VEGF has been found to be expressed in several different types of tumors, and it may contribute to the progression of malignant tumors. Immunostaining for VEGF and factor VIII was performed in normal healthy pulps and in irreversible pulpitis. In both cases the vessels were always positive for VEGF. Our immunohistochemical data show that the expression of VEGF was strongly positive in the inflammatory infiltrate in irreversible pulpitis. VEGF expression in the stromal cells in healthy pulps ranged from 20 to 100% (with a mean of 68.82), and in irreversible pulpitis ranged from 0 to 100% (with a mean of 62.35%); this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05). This down-regulation in the stromal cells in irreversible pulpitis could be due to the presence, in a low compliance system such as the dental pulp, of inflammatory infiltrate. VEGF is probably a factor implicated in the etiology and progression of pulpitis. The microvessel density in healthy pulps was 90.00 +/- 27.5, while, in irreversible pulpitis, it was 56.68 +/- 21.15. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The decrease in microvessel density in irreversible pulpitis could be related to failing vascular function and blood flow decrease.     

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme pattern in normal and inflamed human dental pulp.

Enzyme variants may serve an adaptive role in providing the correct vectorial properties for the metabolism of a tissue, or broadening its environmental tolerance range. To determine if the LDH isoenzyme pattern of human dental pulp changes during inflammation, supernatants from normal and inflamed dental pulp homogenates were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Inflamed pulps had a higher M subunit content and a markedly increased enzyme activity. These results might reflect adaptive changes at the enzyme level associated with a partial shift towards anaerobic metabolism during inflammation of the pulp.     

Nitric oxide synthase in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of pulpitis. In this study, we hypothesized the existence of endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) enzyme isoforms in human dental pulp. Extracted third molar pulps were divided into groups based on clinical diagnosis: healthy, hyperemic, and irreversible pulpitis. We have localized the eNOS and iNOS by immunohistochemistry and have tested their mRNA expression by RT-PCR and protein levels by Western blots. eNOS is present in the endothelial cells and odontoblasts of the healthy pulp, but an elevation of eNOS mRNA and protein levels with a concomitant dilation of vessels was characteristic under pathological conditions. Healthy pulp tissue failed to exhibit any iNOS; however, acute inflammation enhanced the mRNA and protein levels of iNOS, mainly in the leukocytes. There are differences in localization and expression between eNOS and iNOS in healthy and inflamed dental pulp.     

Immune components in normal and inflamed human dental pulp.

Normal and inflamed human pulpal tissues were examined for the presence of humoral immune components. The results indicate that normal pulpal tissue is essentially devoid of components necessary for localized immunoglobulin synthesis as shown by the absence of any immunoglobulin-containing cells (ICC). Tissue fluorescence was observed only in the unwashed samples and mainly with the fluoresceinated IgG reagent. This fluorescence was essentially eliminated by prewashing prior to the application of the fluoresceinated antiserums. On the other hand, inflamed pulpal tissues showed the presence of various ICC. IgG ICC were preponderant, constituting more than 60 per cent of ICC observed. Significant numbers of IgA and IgE ICC were also observed in each sample examined; whereas IgM ICC were present in only 3 of 12 specimens. At the tissue level, fluorescence was observed both in unwashed and prewashed tissues, predominantly with the labelled IgG antiserum. The presence of ICC, as well as extracellular immunoglobulin in inflamed pulpal tissue suggests that the potential exists for immune mechanisms to contribute to the pathological periapical changes seen as sequelae to pulpal inflammation.     

Treatment of the inflamed dental pulp

A bstract — Anterior teeth of dogs, whose pulps were experimentally exposed to oral environment for 48 hours had their crowns removed for histopathological examination of the pulpal tissue. The radicular pulps were capped with antibiotic, corticosteroid and calcium hydroxide; these drugs were utilized alone or in combinations. After 90 days, histological examination of the pulps demonstrated the value of calcium hydroxide.     

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp

AIM: To examine copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) activity in clinically healthy and symptomatic human dental pulps. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-five systemically healthy patients, 14 females and 11 males (age: 13.1-34.6 years; mean: 21.7 +/- 6.3), were the source of the pulp tissue. The condition of the pulps was assessed using clinical and radiographic evaluation. The pulp tissue was collected by longitudinally grooving and splitting the teeth (if extracted) or during endodontic treatment, and were age- and sex-matched between the healthy and the irreversible symptomatic pulpitis tissue groups. Cu, Zn-SOD activity was determined through spectrophotometric methods and a Mann-Whitney test assessed the significance of differences between the groups. RESULTS: The enzyme activities were 144.8 +/- 42.2 and 68.1 +/- 25.0 U mg(-1) in the healthy and irreversible symptomatic pulp tissue, respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate a potential role for Cu, Zn-SOD during dental pulp inflammation in humans.     

Circulation in normal and inflamed dental pulp

In the pulp, arteries branch into a capillary network before they leave the pulp as venules through the apical foramina. The tissue has low compliance, as it is enclosed in dentin, and has a relatively high blood flow and blood volume. The interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) and colloid osmotic pressure are relatively high whereas the net driving blood pressure is low. The high pulsatile IFP is probably the major force for propelling lymph in the dental pulp. Vasodilation in neighboring tissue as well as arteriovenous (AV) shunts in the pulp itself can contribute to a fall in total and coronal pulpal blood flow, respectively. The pulp blood flow is under nervous, humoral, and local control. Inflammatory vascular responses, vasodilation, and increased vessel permeability induce an increase in IFP that can be followed by a temporarily impaired blood flow response. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from bacteria may cause endothelial activation in the pulp, leading to vasoconstriction and reduced vascular perfusion. Lymphatic vessels are identified with specific lymphatic markers in the pulp but so far, little is known about their function. Because of the special circulatory conditions in the pulp, there are several clinical implications that need to be considered in dental treatment.
Received 13 February 2009; accepted 28 August 2009.     

Local opioids in the inflamed dental pulp

We have looked for the presence of beta-endorphin and somatostatin in normal and inflamed pulps. In 25 adult rats, under anesthesia, small openings were made into the pulp on the mesial surface of both first molars on one side. One week later all four first molars were removed, half were processed for immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies to beta-endorphin, somatostatin, and CD3, a marker for T lymphocytes. The pulps of the remainder were removed, solubilized, and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for somatostatin and beta-endorphin. Many cells that labeled for beta-endorphin and somatostatin in the injured pulps also stained for CD3. The levels of both beta-endorphin and somatostatin, were higher in the exposed than in the uninjured pulps (t test, p < 0.05). beta-endorphin and somatostatin are both produced in increased amounts in the dental pulp during inflammation attributable, at least in part, to the presence of T lymphocytes producing these substances.