RESUMO
Background/purpose: Extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for dental pulp repair. The aim of this paper is to investigate the ECM remodeling effect of miR-181b-2-3p (a microRNA) and to verify the reparatory effect of EI1 (an epigenetic drug) and miR-181b-2-3p inhibitor on dental pulp. Materials and methods: Levels of ECM-related factors in EI1-treated human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The anti-inflammation effect of EI1 was examined in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated hDPCs. miR-181b-2-3p mimics or inhibitors were transfected into hDPCs and then the cells' functions were detected. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the targets of miR-181b-2-3p. Pulpotomy using miR-181b-2-3p antagomirs and EI1 as pulp capping materials was performed in male six-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: EI1 upregulated ECM-related genes expression in hDPCs, but failed to upregulate the collagen1A1 (COL1A1) protein level. Pro-inflammatory factors were downregulated by EI1 in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated hDPCs. Overexpression of miR-181b-2-3p downregulated the expression of transforming growth factor-ß2 (TGF-ß2) and fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 precursor (FNDC5), while the inhibition had the opposite effect. Dual luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-181b-2-3p targets TGF-ß2, FNDC5 and integrin alpha 4 protein (ITGA4). Compared to EI1 was used alone, EI1 combined with the inhibitor upregulated the protein levels of COL1A1, fibronectin (FN1) and TGF-ß2 in hDPCs, promoted hDPCs migration, and exhibited reparatory effects on inflamed rat pulp tissue. Conclusion: miR-181b-2-3p inhibitor could enhance the reparatory effect of EI1 via ECM remodeling in dental pulp both in vitro and in vivo.