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Transforming Growth Factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐beta 1) expression in normal healthy pulps and in those with irreversible pulpitis
Author(s) -
Piattelli A.,
Rubini C.,
Fioroni M.,
Tripodi D.,
Strocchi R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/j.0143-2885.2004.00758.x
Subject(s) - pulpitis , tgf beta 1 , pulp (tooth) , stromal cell , molar , transforming growth factor beta , transforming growth factor , medicine , dentistry , beta (programming language) , pathology , chemistry , computer science , programming language
Aim To evaluate the Transforming Growth Factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐beta 1) expression in normal healthy pulps and in those with irreversible pulpitis. Methodology Twenty‐three normal, healthy pulps were removed from mandibular third molars, and 20 pulps were retrieved from teeth with irreversible pulpitis. TGF‐beta 1 was evaluated in the odontoblastic and subodontoblastic layers, in the stromal cells (fibroblasts), and in the blood vessels. TGF‐beta 1 expression was determined by evaluating 500 cells in the odontoblastic and subodontoblastic layers and 500 fibroblasts in the stroma for each specimen, and counting the number of positive cells. The number of the positive vessels was evaluated in 10 high power fields (HPF). In almost all cases, the cellular positivity was cytoplasmatic. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U ‐ and Student's t ‐tests. Results A higher expression of TGF‐beta 1 was found in the odontoblastic–subodontoblastic layer of the irreversible pulpitis specimens; this difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.0002). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in TGF‐beta 1 expression in the stromal cells ( P = 0.54) or in the vascular component ( P = 0.94). Conclusions The higher and statistically significant expression of TGF‐beta 1 found in the odontoblastic–subodontoblastic layer of irreversible pulpitis specimens may indicate a role for TGF‐beta 1 in the dentinal repair processes after pulp inflammation.