Glial Cell/neuronal Interaction in Thalamus following Dental Pulp Inflammation
Objectives: We have recently reported that the signal of pulp inflammation induces both neuronal and glial cell activation in the rat central nervous system (CNS). The purpose of this study was to examine the involvement of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in the pulp injury-induced glial cell/neuronal interaction in the thalamus.
Methods: Left mandibular first molars of seven-week-old male Wistar rats were used. Following pulpotomy, the pulp was challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the cavity was sealed with a flowable resin composite (UniFill Flow, GC). Normal teeth and pulpotomized teeth without LPS served as control. After 0 (control), 24 and 72 hours, the contralateral side of the thalamus was retrieved, and total RNA was extracted. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was then carried out to analyze the mRNA expression levels of p38-MAPK families (MAPK 13 and MAPK 14) and microglial activation markers (Itgam also known as CD11b, and Aif1 also known as IBA-1).
Results: In the contralateral thalamic tissues from the LPS-treated animals, MAPK 13 and MAPK 14 mRNAs showed significantly higher levels at 24 and 72 hours compared with those from LPS-non-treated (control) animals. Notably, microglial activation markers, Itgam and Aif1 mRNAs, were also upregulated in the contralateral side of thalamus.
Conclusions: LPS-challenge of the dental pulp caused an increased mRNA expression of p38-MAPK family members and microglial activation markers in the contralateral thalamus, suggesting that p38- MAPK signaling pathways may be involved in the pulp inflammation-induced activation of thalamic glial cells.
IADR/AADR/CADR General Session
2013 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session (Seattle, Washington) Seattle, Washington
2013 3488 Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research
Kawamura, Jun
( Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical & Dental University, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Kaneko, Tomoatsu
( Niigata, Japan. Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Chokechanachaisakul, Uraiwan
( Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical & Dental University, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Yamanaka, Yusuke
( Niigata, Japan. Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Ito, Takafumi
( Niigata, Japan. Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Sunakawa, Mitsuhiro
( Tokyo Medical & Dental University; Clean Room, University Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Okiji, Takashi
( Niigata, Japan. Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Suda, Hideaki
( Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical & Dental University, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
