Enhanced production of IL-2 from anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated mouse spleen cells by artepillin C, a major component of Brazilian green propolis.

OBJECTIVES: In this report, we attempt to clarify the immune modulatory effects of Brazilian green propolis (BGP) and its major component, artepillin C, on the cytokine production of anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated mouse spleen cells. We also estimate the physiological mechanism affecting artepillin C's upon the cells. METHODS: Male C3H/HeN mouse spleen cells stimulated by antiCD3 monoclonal antibody were co-cultured with BGP, artepillin C, and HC030031, a transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) Ca2+ channel antagonist. The synthesis of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-2 was assayed by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The expression of IL-2 mRNA and the protein product were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The production of IL-2 was markedly enhanced, while that of IL-4 and IL-10 was not significantly affected; by contrast, the production of IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-17 was significantly reduced in the antibody-stimulated spleen cells treated with BGP at a non-cytostatic concentration. These effects were reproduced in the cells treated with artepillin C. The expression of IL-2 mRNA was unaffected; however, that of the protein was significantly enhanced in the artepillin C-treated cells compared to untreated control cells. The enhancement of protein expression and the production of IL-2 by artepillin C was significantly alleviated by adding HC030031. CONCLUSIONS: Artepillin C is an important regulator of cytokine synthesis from activated spleen cells. The agent specifically augmented the expression of IL-2 via the Ca2+-permeable cation channel, TRPA1, at least in part, at the translational or secretion levels.

Clinical assessment of resin-coating technique applied to exposed dentin after crown preparation.

The resin-coating technique, in which exposed dentin surfaces are covered using a thin-film coating material, was approved in the Japanese public health insurance system in December 2019. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical cases treated using the resin-coating technique with Hybrid Coat II (HC II) after tooth preparation on vital teeth. A total of 134 cases from patients who visited nine dental clinics were examined from the clinical records. Clinical signs and symptoms of cases before, during, and after treatment and at the time of recall were evaluated. The resin-coating was applied as either a single application with HC II (86.6%) or a combined application of HC II and a flowable resin composite (13.4%). The success rate without any symptoms of sensivity to cold water was 92.5% (124 cases). The current results indicated that the resin-coating with HC II is a reliable treatment for the tooth preparation of vital teeth.