Effects of root-end filling materials on vascular endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation.

Background/purpose: Regarding root-end filling materials in apical surgery, sealing ability and biocompatibility are useful for treatment. Angiogenesis, which occurs in the process of periapical wound healing, is closely related to bone formation. In this study, we investigated the effects of root-end filling materials on vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Materials and methods: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate-tri-n-butyl borane (4-META/MMA-TBB) resin, Super EBA, and CS-BG-multi, bioactive glass-related materials, were used. After curing, each material was soaked in a medium for 1 or 7 days, and then cultured for 1-7 days to investigate the effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, angiogenesis, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) mRNA expression. Results: In the 1-day soaked sample, there was significantly less proliferation in MTA and Super EBA on day 7 of culture. In the 7-day soaked sample, there was significantly less proliferation in Super EBA and CS-BG-multi on day 7 of culture. Tube formation was significantly high in MTA in both the 1-day and 7-day soaked samples, significantly high in SB in the 1-day soaked sample, and significantly low in Super EBA in both the 1-day and 7-day soaked samples. CS-BG-multi was comparable to the control. VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 mRNA expressions showed an upward trend in MTA, and a trend similar to the control in SB. Conclusion: MTA and 4-META/MMA-TBB resin had a higher pro-angiogenic effect while Super EBA had a less pro-angiogenic effect. CS-BG-multi had low toxicity on tube formation of HUVEC.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 agonist induces bone formation in rat apicoectomy and alveolar bone defect model.

Background/purpose: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator that exerts its physiological functions in vivo through receptors. In the bone, S1P induces osteoblast differentiation. Here, we investigated the effects of S1P receptor agonists on the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers locally in the bone. Then, a rat apicoectomy and alveolar bone defect model was established to extend S1P applications to endodontics, and the effect of local administration of S1P receptor agonist on postoperative bone formation was examined. Materials and methods: Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) 1/S1PR3 agonists, S1PR2 agonists, and their signal-related agents were intraperitoneally administered to mice. Using the mRNA collected from the tibial bone, the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers was evaluated by real-time reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. An apicoectomy and alveolar bone defect model was established on the mesial root of the rat mandibular first molar. Bone formation parameters were measured by micro-computed tomography analysis 3 weeks after the procedure. Results: Intraperitoneal administration of S1PR2 agonist significantly increased the mRNA expression of osteoblast differentiation markers, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteopontin (OPN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteocalcin, in the local tibial bone of mice. The S1PR2/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase (ROCK) signaling was thought to be involved in the upregulated mRNA expression of ALP, OPN, and BSP. In the rat apical defects, bone formation parameters significantly increased following local administration of S1PR2 agonist. Conclusion: In the rat apicoectomy and alveolar bone defect model, therapeutic agents targeting S1PR2 agonist are effective against osteogenesis.

Dental regenerative therapy targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway in endodontics.

The establishment of regenerative therapy in endodontics targeting the dentin-pulp complex, cementum, periodontal ligament tissue, and alveolar bone will provide valuable information to preserve teeth. It is well known that the application of stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and somatic stem cells is effective in regenerative medicine. There are many somatic stem cells in teeth and periodontal tissues including dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells from the apical papilla, and periodontal ligament stem cells. Particularly, several studies have reported the regeneration of clinical pulp tissue and alveolar bone by DPSCs transplantation. However, further scientific issues for practical implementation remain to be addressed. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) acts as a bioactive signaling molecule that has multiple biological functions including cellular differentiation, and has been shown to be responsible for bone resorption and formation. Here we discuss a strategy for bone regeneration and a possibility for regenerative endodontics targeting S1P signaling pathway as one of approaches for induction of regeneration by improving the regenerative capacity of endogenous cells. SCIENTIFIC FIELD OF DENTAL SCIENCE: Endodontology.

Development of an error-detection examination for conservative dentistry education.

OBJECTIVE: For dental students, textbooks and lectures provide basic knowledge, and simulated and actual clinical training provide learning in technical and communication skills. At our college, conservative dentistry is taught in the third and fourth years of a 6-year undergraduate degree. Clinical training is undertaken subsequently in the fifth year and includes cavity preparation and composite resin filling tasks. However, despite the clinical importance of a full understanding surrounding these procedures, sixth-year students occasionally provide incorrect answers regarding these procedures in assessments. Although they demonstrated a basic understanding of the procedures, they may have forgotten the acquired knowledge during their clinical training. Therefore, we developed an error-detection examination to evaluate and improve fifth-year students' knowledge. METHODS: Written detailed treatment procedures for standardized, typical, cases were presented to students. Some critical steps were intentionally written incorrectly, and students had to identify and correct these. After correcting the steps, students gave a presentation to their peers on their corrections. This was followed by a summary of the correct answers and a short lecture by the teacher. Students then completed a questionnaire investigating their experience of the examination. RESULTS: Students misunderstood some key treatment steps, such as pretreatment of composite resin filling, amalgam removal, and ceramic inlay fitting. The questionnaire revealed that this method of testing applied knowledge was new to students and helped them to identify knowledge gaps. The test also increased their motivation to study conservative dentistry. Students were open to taking similar tests in different areas. CONCLUSION: Although conservative dentistry is a basic field of dental treatment, mistakes in treatment can lead to early treatment failure or reduce the lifetime of a restored tooth. Therefore, students need to have a deep understanding of procedures. Error-detection examinations may help students identify knowledge gaps and provide useful feedback to teachers to identify areas that they should stress in earlier years.

Induction of bone repair in rat calvarial defects using a combination of hydroxyapatite with phosphatidylserine liposomes.

Phosphatidylserine (PS)-normally present on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane-translocates to the outer leaflet at an early stage of apoptosis. PS-containing liposomes (PSLs) can mimic the effect of apoptotic cells in inducing the secretion of prostaglandin E2 from phagocytes and inhibiting the maturation of dendritic cells and osteoclast precursors. The present study attempted to evaluate the effect of calcium phosphate (in the form of hydroxyapatite [HAP]) in the presence or absence of PSLs for repair of rat calvarial bone defects. The defects, each 5 mm in diameter, were created in the calvaria parietal bone of 8-week-old Wistar rats and subjected to one of the following treatments: no augmentation (Sham), HAP alone, or a mixture of HAP and PSL (HAP+PSL). Micro-computed tomography data showed that the HAP+PSL complexes promoted greater bone regeneration in comparison with either the Sham procedure or HAP alone at 4 and 8 weeks after implantation. The regeneration of calvarial bone defects induced by PSLs was mediated partly through upregulation of the osteogenic marker Alkaline Phosphatase, Type I collagen, osteocalcin, Runx2, and Osterix mRNAs. These data are the first to show that PSLs can influence bone regeneration by regulating osteoblast differentiation.

Anisomycin, a JNK and p38 activator, suppresses cell-cell junction formation in 2D cultures of K38 mouse keratinocyte cells and reduces claudin-7 expression, with an increase of paracellular permeability in 3D cultures.

Keratinocytes in the oral mucosal epithelium, which is a non-keratinized stratified epithelium, are exposed to various stimuli from the oral cavity. JNK and p38 are stress-activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that are phosphorylated by various stimuli and are involved in the assembly and disassembly of tight junctions (TJs) in keratinocytes. Therefore, we investigated the effects of stress-activated MAPKs on TJs in a mouse keratinocyte cell line during cell-cell junction formation in two-dimensional (2D) cultures or stratification to form non-keratinized epithelium in 3D cultures. In 2D cultures, calcium induced zipper-like staining for ZO-1 at 2 h and string-like staining for ZO-1 at 12 h, which indicated immature and mature cell-cell junctions, respectively. Anisomycin (AM), a JNK and p38 activator, inhibited formation of string-like staining for ZO-1, whereas inhibition of JNK, but not p38, after AM treatment restored string-like staining for ZO-1, although claudins (CLDNs) 4, 6, and 7 did not completely colocalize to ZO-1-positive sites. In 3D cultures, AM treatment for 2 weeks activated only p38, suppressed flattening of the superficial cells, removed CLDN7 from ZO-1-positive spots on the surface of 3D cultures, which represent TJs, and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance. Thus, short-term AM treatment inhibited maturation of cell-cell junctions by JNK, but not p38, activation. p38 activation by long-term AM treatment affected morphology of stratified structures and paracellular permeability, which was increased by CLDN7 removal from TJs. Various chronic stimuli that activate stress-activated MAPKs may weaken the keratinocyte barrier and be involved in TJ-related diseases.

Ochratoxin A, citrinin and deoxynivalenol decrease claudin-2 expression in mouse rectum CMT93-II cells.

Intestinal epithelial cells are the first targets of ingested mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin A, citrinin and deoxynivalenol. It has been reported that paracellular permeability regulated by tight junctions is modulated by several mycotoxins by reducing the expression of specific claudins and integral membrane proteins in cell-cell contacts, accompanied by increase in phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase. Claudin-2 is expressed in the deep crypt cells, but not in the villus/surface cells in vivo. While Caco-2, T84 and IPEC-J2 cells, which are widely used intestinal epithelial cell lines to assess the influence of mycotoxins, do not express claudin-2, CMT93-II cells express claudin-2. We previously reported that inhibition of the ERK pathway reduced claudin-2 levels in cell-cell contacts in CMT93-II cells. In this study, we examined whether ochratoxin A, citrinin and deoxynivalenol affect claudin-2 expression and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in CMT93-II cells. We found that all mycotoxins reduced claudin-2 expression in cell-cell contacts, with reduction (by citrinin and deoxynivalenol) or no change (by ochratoxin A) in phosphorylated ERK1/2. All mycotoxins increased transepithelial electrical resistance, but did not affect flux of fluorescein. While ochratoxin A and citrinin are known to be nephrotoxic, only deoxynivalenol reduced claudin-2 expression in MDCK II cells derived from the renal tubule. These results suggest that claudin-2 expression is regulated not only by the ERK pathway, but also by other pathways in an organ-specific manner.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate/S1PR2-mediated signaling triggers Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and thereby induces Runx2 expression in osteoblasts.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling sphingolipid that also plays crucial roles in bone regeneration. Recently, we reported that the S1P receptors S1PR1 and S1PR2 were mainly expressed in osteoblast-like cells, and that the S1P/S1PR1 signaling pathway up-regulated osteoprotegerin and osteoblast differentiation. However, the involvement of S1P/S1PR2 signaling in osteoblast differentiation is not well understood. Here we investigate the role of S1P/S1PR2-mediated signaling in osteoblast differentiation and clarify the underlying signaling mechanisms. We found that an S1P/S1PR2/Gi-independent signaling pathway activated RhoA activity, leading to phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 in mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts. Furthermore, this signaling pathway promoted nuclear translocation of Smad4, and increased the amount of Smad6/7 protein in the nucleus. S1P also up-regulated runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression through S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK/Smad1/5/8 signaling. Moreover, we found that S1P partially triggered S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway leading to bone formation in vivo. These findings suggest that S1P induces RhoA activity, leading to the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8, thereby promoting Runx2 expression and differentiation in osteoblasts. Our findings describe novel molecular mechanisms in S1P/S1PR2-mediated osteoblast differentiation that could aid future studies of bone regeneration.

p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase regulate the accumulation of a tight junction protein, ZO-1, in cell-cell contacts in HaCaT cells.

To investigate the involvement of stress-activated protein kinases, JNK and p38 MAPK, in the assembly of tight junctions in keratinocytes, we treated HaCaT cells with various combinations of SP600125 (an inhibitor of JNK), SB202190 (an inhibitor of p38 MAPK) and anisomycin (an activator of both JNK and p38 MAPK) and examined the localization of ZO-1, an undercoat constitutive protein of the tight junction. Short-term (8h) incubation with SP600125, SB202190 or anisomycin induced the accumulation of ZO-1 in the cell-cell contacts, with reduced ZO-1 staining in the cytoplasm, while only long-term (24h) incubation with SP600125 induced the accumulation of ZO-1. SP600125, SB202190 or SP600125 plus SB202190 treatment induced thin linear staining for ZO-1 in the cell-cell contacts. Anisomycin treatment induced thick and irregular linear staining for ZO-1, while anisomycin plus SP600125 treatment induced zipper-like staining for ZO-1. Anisomycin plus SB202190 treatment or anisomycin plus both SP600125 and SB202190 treatment for 8h failed to lead to the accumulation of ZO-1 in cell-cell contacts, but induced thin linear staining with several gaps 16 h after removal of these agents. These results suggest that the localization of ZO-1 in cell-cell contacts is differently regulated by activation and inhibition of JNK and/or p38 MAPK depending on the incubation period.

Histologic evaluation of the effects of Emdogain gel on injured root apex in rats.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of Emdogain gel (EMD) on the injured open apex within periapical lesions. METHODS: Periapical lesions were induced in rats by opening the pulp chambers of the mandibular first molars and filing the apical foramen through the distal root canal with #25 K-files to make an open apex. The teeth were exposed to the oral environment for 7 days. Then we irrigated the distal root canals and divided them into EMD-treated and propylene glycol alginate-treated groups. The rats were killed 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment and examined histochemically. RESULTS: In the EMD-treated rats, more cells expressed transforming growth factor-ß1 or bone morphogenetic protein-2 at 7 days after treatment, and the regeneration of cementum and bone was observed around the root apex at 14 days after treatment. Conversely, in the propylene glycol alginate-treated group, few cells expressed transforming growth factor-ß1 or bone morphogenetic protein-2, and apical periodontal tissue recovery was rarely seen within the periapical lesions throughout the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EMD does not irritate injured periapical tissue and may create a favorable environment that promotes the healing of destroyed periapical tissues.

Immunohistochemical study of amelogenin and lysosome-associate membrane proteins (LAMPs) in cartilage / Estudio inmunohistoquímico de la amelogenina y proteínas de membrana asociadas a lisosomas (LAMPs) en el cartílago

Amelogenin is one of the enamel matrix proteins secreted by ameloblasts during enamel formation in tooth development. Recent studies showed that the amelogenin is expressed in chondrocyte. Lysosome-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) have been identified as binding partner proteins to amelogenin and it has been suggested they act as signaling receptors of amelogenin. The purpose of this study is to clarify the localization of amelogenin and LAMPs in growth plate cartilage and cartilaginous nodules in micromass culture. Mouse knee joints including tibia growth plate at 4 weeks old and micromass cultures of limb bud mesenchymal cells after 2 weeks were fixed in paraformaldehyde, routinely processed, sections were cut and immunostained with amelogenin, collagen type II and type X, LAMP-1 and -3. The positive immunoreaction of amelogenin was observed both in proliferation and hypertrophic zone cartilage of growth plate after enzymatic pretreatment in immunostaining. Furthermore, cartilaginous nodules in micromass culture were immunopositive to amelogenin. The chondrocytes in the proliferation zone of the growth plate were immunopositive to LAMP-1 but weakly stained in the chondrocytes of hypertrophic zone. These observations indicate that amelogenin may be present in cartilage matrix produced in vivo and in vitro and amelogenin may involve cartilage formation through the LAMP-1 signaling pathway.

La amelogenina es una de las proteínas de la matriz del esmalte secretadas por ameloblastos durante la formación del esmalte en el desarrollo dentario. Estudios recientes demuestran que la amelogenina se expresa en los condrocitos. Las proteínas de membrana asociadas a lisosomas (LAMPs) se han identificado como proteínas de unión asociadas a la amelogenina; se ha sugerido que actúan como receptores de señalización de la amelogenina. El propósito de este estudio fue aclarar la localización de la amelogenina y las LAMPs en el cartílago de crecimiento y nódulos cartilaginosos en cultivos de micromasa. Articulaciones de la rodilla del ratón, que incluían la placa de crecimiento tibial de 4 semanas de edad y cultivos de micromasa de células mesenquimales del brote del miembro después de 2 semanas se fijaron en paraformaldehído y procesaron rutinariamente. Los cortes fueron sometidos a inmunotinción con amelogenina, colágeno tipo II y X, LAMP-1 y LAMP-3 . Se observó inmunorreacción positiva de amelogenina tanto en la zona proliferación e hipertrófica del cartílago de crecimiento después del pretratamiento enzimático. Además, los nódulos cartilaginosos en el cultivo de micromasa eran inmunopositivos para la amelogenina. Los condrocitos en la zona de proliferación de la placa de crecimiento fueron immunopositivos a LAMP-1, mientras que los condrocitos de la zona hipertrófica se tiñeron débilmente. Estas observaciones indican que la amelogenina puede estar presente en la matriz del cartílago producida tanto in vivo e in vitro, además la amelogenina puede estar implicada en la formación de cartílago mediante la vía de señalización de LAMP-1.

Continuous fever-range heat stress induces thermotolerance in odontoblast-lineage cells.

OBJECTIVE: Heat shock during restorative procedures can trigger damage to the pulpodentin complex. While severe heat shock has toxic effects, fever-range heat stress exerts beneficial effects on several cells and tissues. In this study, we examined whether continuous fever-range heat stress (CFHS) has beneficial effects on thermotolerance in the rat clonal dental pulp cell line with odontoblastic properties, KN-3. METHODS: KN-3 cells were cultured at 41°C for various periods, and the expression level of several proteins was assessed by Western blot analysis. After pre-heat-treatment at 41°C for various periods, KN-3 cells were exposed to lethal severe heat shock (LSHS) at 49°C for 10min, and cell viability was examined using the MTS assay. Additionally, the expression level of odontoblast differentiation makers in surviving cells was examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: CFHS increased the expression levels of several heat shock proteins (HSPs) in KN-3 cells, and induced transient cell cycle arrest. KN-3 cells, not pre-heated or exposed to CFHS for 1 or 3h, died after exposure to LSHS. In contrast, KN-3 cells exposed to CFHS for 12h were transiently lower on day 1, but increased on day 3 after LSHS. The surviving cells expressed odontoblast differentiation markers, dentine sialoprotein and dentine matrix protein-1. These results suggest that CFHS for 12h improves tolerance to LSHS by inducing HSPs expression and cell cycle arrest in KN-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate pretreatment with continuous fever-range heat stress can provide protection against lethal heat shock in KN-3 cells.

Effects of heat stress and starvation on clonal odontoblast-like cells.

INTRODUCTION: Heat stress during restorative procedures, particularly under severe starvation conditions, can trigger damage to dental pulp. In the present study, we examined effects of heat stress on odontoblastic activity and inflammatory responses in an odontoblast-like cell line (KN-3) under serum-starved conditions. METHODS: Viability, nuclear structures, and inflammatory responses of KN-3 cells were examined in culture medium containing 10% or 1% serum after exposure to heat stress at 43°C for 45 minutes. Gene expression of extracellular matrices, alkaline phosphatase activity, and detection of extracellular calcium deposition in cells exposed to heat stress were also examined. RESULTS: Reduced viability and apoptosis were transiently induced in KN-3 cells during the initial phases after heat stress; thereafter, cells recovered their viability. The cytotoxic effects of heat stress were enhanced under serum-starved conditions. Heat stress also strongly up-regulated expression of heat shock protein 25 as well as transient expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 in KN-3 cells. In contrast, expression of type-1 collagen, runt-related transcription factor 2, and dentin sialophosphoprotein were not inhibited by heat stress although starvation suppressed ALP activity and delayed progression of calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Odontoblast-like cells showed thermoresistance with transient inflammatory responses and without loss of calcification activity, and their thermoresistance and calcification activity were influenced by nutritional status.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines induce suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 in human periodontal ligament cells.

INTRODUCTION: Periapical inflammation is initiated by insult to the dental pulp and mediated by inflammatory cytokines in the periodontal tissue. On the other hand, the destruction of tissue can be prevented by the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine activity. The balance between these cytokines and their counterregulatory molecules has been suggested to regulate tissue destruction. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are known to suppress inflammatory cytokine signaling via the classic negative feedback loop. However, the mechanism by which they are induced by inflammatory cytokines and regulated during the development of periodontal disease remains to be clarified. We investigated the effects of inflammatory cytokines on SOCS protein expression and their signaling pathways in human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. METHODS: We examined the effect of inflammatory cytokines on SOCSs expression and its signaling pathway in human PDL cells using reverse transcription- and real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot methods. Furthermore, we also examined whether these cytokines-induced SOCS-3 suppress chemokines secretion using ELISA methods. RESULTS: We found that inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 induced expression of SOCS-3 but not that of SOCS-2 in human PDL cells. IL-1beta and IL-6 simultaneously induced IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion in PDL cells, whereas SOCS-3 overexpression suppressed secretion of these chemokines through inhibition of phosphorylation in downstream signaling. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines induced SOCS-3 expression. The SOCS-3 induction suggests playing an important role in negative feedback, suppressing serious destruction of periodontal tissue in apical periodontitis through a chemokine-dependent mechanism.

Wound healing process of injured pulp tissues with emdogain gel.

This study aimed to investigate the wound healing process of injured pulp tissues with Emdogain gel (EMD). Pulpotomy was performed for the first molars of the mandibles in rats. EMD or Vitapex (VIT)-containing calcium hydroxide was applied to the exposed pulp tissues. The treated teeth were extracted after 7, 14, and 28 days and prepared for histologic examination. In the VIT-treated group, the number of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-expressing macrophages initially increased, followed by that of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1)-expressing macrophages. The number of cells expressing bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) gradually increased with reparative dentin formation. Meanwhile, in the EMD-treated group, cells expressing IL-1 beta or TGF-beta1 were few. However, the number of BMP-expressing cells, partly macrophages, increased in the early phase, and large amounts of reparative dentin were observed. This study demonstrated that different healing processes existed for EMD and VIT. BMP-expressing macrophages might play important roles in reparative dentin formation.

Antibody responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis infection in a murine abscess model--involvement of gingipains and responses to re-infection.

BACKGROUND: Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the most important periodontopathogens. It produces cysteine proteinases named gingipains. We previously examined the effect of gingipains on abscess formation in a murine model. The rgpA rgpB double and kgp mutants induced smaller abscesses than the wild type. Moreover, the rgpA rgpB kgp triple (gingipain-null) mutant hardly showed lesion formation at all under the experimental conditions used, indicating that genes encoding gingipains are important for P. gingivalis virulence. OBJECTIVES: Here, we further report the humoral immune responses induced by P. gingivalis strains. METHODS: After the lesions were apparently cured, sera were collected from the mice and immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses against the whole cell antigens of wild-type P. gingivalis were measured. RESULTS: Wild-type strain was found to induce a strong antibody reaction. On the other hand, the rgpA rgpB kgp triple and kgp mutants induced significantly lower antibody responses compared to the wild type. Western blotting analysis confirmed the differences in antibody production. Next, these mice were re-infected with wild-type strain. Mice that were first infected with wild-type strain showed significantly smaller lesion formation than control mice that were first infected with medium only. On the other hand, mice that were first infected with mutant strains devoid of gingipain activities did not show resistance to re-infection and immunoglobulins directed against gingipains may be protective. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that gingipains play an important role in abscess formation in mice, and humoral immune responses seem to be partly responsible for the resistance to re-infection by P. gingivalis.

Dental root resorption and repair: histology and histometry during physiological drift of rat molars.

OBJECTIVE: The process of dental root resorption and subsequent cementum regeneration has not been sufficiently elucidated. This study aimed to examine the process of the root resorption and cementum regeneration during physiological tooth drift using a rat model, and to evaluate this experimental model. METHODS: Distal roots in mandibular first molars and the surrounding periodontal tissues were investigated with light and electron microscopy. The light microscopic approach included histochemical and histometric analyses utilizing the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) reaction. RESULTS: Root resorption was observed in the distal side of the roots and was most active in 5- to 6-week-old rats, and gradually decreased hereafter. An increase in the number of TRAP-positive mononuclear cells, which seemed to be odontoclast precursor cells, preceded the increase in the number of odontoclasts. Root resorption was transient, and was followed by the new formation of acellular extrinsic fiber cementum accompanied with only a slight inflammation, and therefore classified as external surface resorption. Preparation for new cementum started adjacent to the resorption areas when root resorption was most active. CONCLUSIONS: The root resorption during drift in rats is transient and followed by acellular extrinsic fiber cementum regeneration. Cellular kinetics suggested that odontoclast precursor cells are supplied as mononuclear cells from vascular spaces.

Humoral immune responses to S-layer-like proteins of Bacteroides forsythus.

Bacteroides forsythus is one of the important periodontopathic bacteria, and this microorganism is known to have an S-layer outside the outer membrane. The S-layer-like antigens were recently isolated from B. forsythus, and they were found to be 270- and 230-kDa proteins in the envelope fraction. In this study, these proteins were confirmed to be specific to B. forsythus by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and they were clearly recognized by sera from patients with adult and early-onset periodontitis in Western immmunoblot analysis. We compared the immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses against the purified S-layer-like antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgG responses against this antigen were low in healthy control subjects, but they were significantly higher in subjects with adult and early-onset periodontitis. Together with the fact that the IgG responses against the crude extract of B. forsythus did not rise significantly in patients with periodontitis, S-layer-like proteins are considered to be specific antigens of B. forsythus and may play an important role in the progression of periodontitis.