Identification of the characteristics of infiltrating immune cells in pulpitis and its potential molecular regulation mechanism by bioinformatics method.

OBJECTIVE: The inflammation of dental pulp will also trigger an immune response. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the immune cell's function and explore their regulatory molecules and signal pathways in pulpitis. METHOD: The CIBERSORTx method was used to quantitatively analyze 22 types of immune cells infiltrating in the GSE77459 dataset of dental pulp tissues. The immune-related differential genes (IR-DEGs) were further screened and enriched for the GO and KEGG pathways. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and the hub IR-DEGs were screened. Finally, we constructed the regulatory network of hub genes. RESULTS: The GSE77459 dataset screened 166 IR-DEGs and was enriched for three signal pathways involved in pulpitis development: chemokine signaling, TNF signaling, and NF-κB signaling. Significant differences in immune cell infiltration were observed between normal and inflamed dental pulp. The proportions of M0 macrophages, neutrophils, and follicular helper T cells were significantly higher than that of the normal dental pulp, while the proportions of resting mast cells, resting dendritic cells, CD8 T cells, and monocytes were significantly lower. The random forest algorithm concluded that M0 macrophages and neutrophils were the two most important immune cells. We identified five immune-related hub genes IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, CXCL8, and CCL2. In addition, IL-6, IL-1ß, and CXCL8 are highly correlated with M0 macrophages and neutrophils, and the five hub genes have many shared regulatory molecules: four miRNAs and two lncRNAs, three transcription factors. CONCLUSION: Immune cell infiltration plays an important role in pulpitis among which M0 macrophages and neutrophils are the most significant immune cells. IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1, CXCL8, and CCL2 may be essential molecule of the immune response regulation network in pulpitis. This will help us understand the immune regulatory network in pulpitis.

ALG3 contributes to the malignant properties of OSCC cells by regulating CDK-Cyclin pathway.

In this study, we planned to investigate the function and potential mechanisms of Alpha-1,3-mannosyltransferase (ALG3) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Data from TCGA were used to analyze ALG3 expression and its effect on the prognosis of patients with OSCC. KEGG enrichment analysis was applied to explore the pathways related to ALG3. ALG3 expression was measured by qPCR and Western blot. Cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and transwell assays were implemented to detect the effects of ALG3 on malignant biological properties of OSCC cells. The expression of key proteins related to CDK-Cyclin pathway was detected by Western blot. The expression of ALG3 in OSCC samples was higher than that of the control samples, and the increase of ALG3 expression was related to unfavorable prognosis of OSCC patients. Additionally, the elevated expression of ALG3 was associated with pathological stage, lymph node metastasis, and primary lesion in OSCC patients. ALG3 depletion blocked the growth and movement of OSCC cells, while over-expression ALG3 reversed these phenomena. Moreover, exhaustion of ALG3 resulted in decreased expression of MCM7/CCNB2/CDK1/PCNA, while these phenomena were inversed after ALG3 up-regulation. The enhancement of ALG3 expression promoted the aggressive biological behaviors of OSCC cells probably by promoting CDK-Cyclin pathway.

Interaction of Nel-like molecule 1 with apoptosis related protein 3 with its influence on human dental pulp cells proliferation and differentiation into odontoblasts.

Nel-like molecule 1 (Nell-1) is an essential positive regulator of tooth development and odontoblast differentiation. However, its precise mechanism remains undetermined. This study aims to explore the possible receptor or binding protein of Nell-1. Results showed that Nell-1 and Apoptosis related protein 3(APR3) expression levels were high in odontoblasts and inversely correlated. Endogenous Nell-1 co-immunoprecipitated with APR3, and this co-IP was reciprocal. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that Nell-1 and APR3 colocalized on the nuclear envelope of human dental pulp cells. Nell-1 inhibited the proliferation of these cells co-infected with APR3 through Cyclin D1 downregulation. The interaction of Nell-1 with APR3 stimulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and promoted the expression and mineralization of DSPP, ALP, OPN, and BSP. The shRNA of APR3 decreased cell differentiation and mineralization. Nell-1 could reciprocally interact with APR3 and stimulate the differentiation and mineralization of human dental pulp cells. Future studies should explore the potential functional connection and the molar mechanism of such interaction.

Treatment opinions for dens invaginatus: A case series.

Dens invaginatus (DI) is a rare congenital dental malformation characterized by enamel or cementum folded into dentine. Such teeth are susceptible to caries, pulp infection or necrosis and periradicular lesion. The complex anatomy of this disease results in difficult treatment and a high rate of therapeutic failure. Therapeutic options, such as debriding and filling invagination, root canal treatment (RCT) and intentional replantation, vary according to the morphology and infection of the involved tooth. The present study reports five cases of DI with chronic apical periodontitis. The treatment strategies and procedures, including RCT, removing the invagination, intentional replantation and surgical treatment, are discussed according to the classification and the condition of pulp and periapical tissue. The study also reports the prognosis: All patients were followed up for ≥12 months and all teeth demonstrated periapical healing and clinical asymptomatic. In summary, appropriate treatment is based on accurate analysis of the anatomical variation in different types of DI and intentional replantation is a reliable and viable treatment to preserve the tooth.

Identification of abnormally methylated differentially expressed genes in chronic periodontitis by integrated bioinformatics analysis.

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation plays a vital role as an epigenetic change that contributes to chronic periodontitis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to integrate two methylation datasets (GSE173081 and GSE59962) and two gene expression datasets (GSE10334 and GES16134) to identify abnormally methylated differentially expressed genes related to chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Differentially methylated genes were obtained. Functional enrichment analysis of DMGs was performed. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING and Cytoscape software. Finally, the hub genes were selected from the PPI network by using CytoHubba. RESULTS: In total, 122 hypomethylated and highly expressed genes were enriched in the biological mechanisms that are involved in the differentiation of extracellular matrix organization, extracellular structure organization, and cell chemotaxis. The three selected hub genes of the PPI network were IL1B, KDR, and MMP9. A total of 122 hypermethylated and lowly expressed genes were identified, and biological processes, such as cornification, epidermis development, skin development, and keratinocyte differentiation were enriched. CDSN DSG1, and KRT2 were identified as the top 3 hub genes of the PPI network. CONCLUSION: Based on the comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, six hub genes (IL1B, KDR, MMP9, CDSN DSG1, and KRT2) were associated with chronic periodontitis. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying epigenetic changes in chronic periodontitis.

Endodontic treatment of various palatal roots in maxillary molars: Case series and clinical experience.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW: The purpose of this article is to present the variations in maxillary molar palatal root canals and provide a reference for the possible variations in root canal treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION: Five rare cases with palatal canal variation presented in this case series received nonsurgical endodontic treatment successfully. These case reports highlight that understanding and managing the different types of canal configurations in palatal roots of maxillary molars is essential to successful root canal treatment. We tried 2 methods of examining the palatal canal variation to provide examples for clinicians in diagnosing and treating similar cases. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The outline form of the access cavity and the shape of the pulp chamber floor are important factors for identifying variations in root canal number. Moreover, cone-beam computed tomography can help in detecting variations in root canals.