Proliferation of dental pulp fibroblasts in response to thrombin involves mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling

Contraction Dynamics of Rod Microtissues of Gingiva-Derived and Periodontal Ligament-Derived Cells

Tissue engineering strategies using microtissues as "building blocks" have high potential in regenerative medicine. Cognition of contraction dynamics involved in the in vitro self-assembly of these microtissues can be conceived as the bedrock of an effective periodontal tissue regenerative therapy. Our study was directed at evaluating the shrinkage in the rod-shaped structure of a directed self-assembly of human gingiva-derived cells (GC) and periodontal ligament-derived cells (PDLC) and developing insights into the potential mechanisms responsible for the shrinkage. GC and PDLC were seeded in non-adherent agarose molds to form rod microtissues. Cells used for the experiments were characterized using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). To assess the viability, resazurin-based cytotoxicity assays, trypan blue dye exclusion assay, MTT and live/dead staining, and histological evaluation of rods based on hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed. Rod contraction was evaluated and measured at 0, 2, 6, and 24 h and compared to L-929 cells. The role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT, and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling was analyzed. Our results show that the rod microtissues were vital after 24 h. A reduction in the length of rods was seen in the 24 h period. While the recombinant TGF-β slightly reduced contraction, inhibition of TGF-β signaling did not interfere with the contraction of the rods. Interestingly, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase by LY294002 significantly delayed contraction in GC and PDLC rods. Overall, GC and PDLC have the ability to form rod microtissues which contract over time. Thus, approaches for application of these structures as "building blocks" for periodontal tissue regeneration should consider that rods have the capacity to contract substantially. Further investigation will be needed to unravel the mechanisms behind the dynamics of contraction.

Kallikrein Promotes Inflammation in Human Dental Pulp Cells Via Protease-Activated Receptor-1

Plasma kallikrein (KLKB1), a serine protease, cleaves high-molecular weight kininogen to produce bradykinin, a potent vasodilator and pro-inflammatory peptide. In addition, KLKB1 activates plasminogen and other leukocyte and blood coagulation factors and processes pro-enkephalin, prorenin, and C3. KLKB1 has also been shown to cleave protease-activated receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells to regulate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor. In this study, we investigated KLKB1-dependent inflammation and activation of protease-activated receptor-1 in human dental pulp cells. These cells responded to KLKB1 stimulation by increasing intracellular Ca(2+) , upregulating cyclooxygenase-2, and secreting prostaglandin E2 . Remarkably, SCH79797, an antagonist of protease-activated receptor-1, blocked these effects. Thus, these data indicate that KLKB1 induces inflammatory reactions in human dental tissues via protease-activated receptor 1. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1522-1528, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

17β-Estradiol induces odontoblastic differentiation via activation of the c-Src/MAPK pathway in human dental pulp cells

The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of the exogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) on odontoblastic differentiation in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) immotalized with hTERT gene and their molecular mechanism. Proliferation was detected by BrdU assay, and odontoblast differentiation induction was evaluated by the expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin matrix protein1 (DMP1), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization. Estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), c-Src, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were examined and their inhibitors were used to determine the roles on odontogenic induction. E2 significantly promoted the HDPC proliferation, which was mediated by extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2. E2 upregulated DSPP, DSP, and DMP1 as the odontogenic differentiation markers and enhanced ALP activity and mineralization. E2 increased phosphorylation of ER-α and fulvestrant, an ER downregulator, significantly downregulated DSPP, DMP1, and DSP induced by E2. Moreover, E2 treatment activated c-Src and MAPKs upon odontogenic induction, whereas chemical inhibition of c-Src and MAPKs decreased expression of DSPP, DMP1, and DSP and mineralization augmented by E2. Moreover, fulvestrant reduced E2-induced phosphorylation of c-Src and MAPK and inhibition of c-Src by PP2 attenuated activation of MAPKs during E2-induced odontoblastic differentiation. Taken together, these results indicated that E2 stimulates odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs via coordinated regulation of ER-α, c-Src, and MAPK signaling pathways, which may play a key role in the regeneration of dentin.

Morphometric approach to pulp fibroblast development in tooth germ

This paper builds a morphometric framework for the analysis of dental pulp fibroblast evolution during tooth development. We investigated 15 tooth germs (cases) organized, by histological criteria, in three groups corresponding to cap, early bell, and late bell stages, respectively. Each group comprised five cases. The morphometric description used the following parameters: area (A), perimeter (P)—automatically extracted by a color segmentation technique, and form factor (FF)—calculated as 4πA/P². The designed framework operated at inter- and intragroup levels. The intergroup analysis quantified the differences between groups, in the sense of a relative distance (RD) adequately defined by mean-value scaling. We showed that the stage of early bell is approximately 5 times closer to late bell than to cap. The quantification procedure required concomitant information about A, P parameters (as P versus A dependences, or FF values), whereas the procedure failed for A or P separately used. The intragroup analysis quantified the similarity of the cases belonging to the same stage. We proved that, unlike the intergroup tests, the individual exploitation of all three descriptors A, P, and FF is effective, yielding highly compatible results. Within any group, most cases presented RDs less than 10% from the group mean value, regardless of the descriptor type.

Matrix identity and tractional forces influence indirect cardiac reprogramming

Heart regeneration through in vivo cardiac reprogramming has been demonstrated as a possible regenerative strategy. While it has been reported that cardiac reprogramming in vivo is more efficient than in vitro, the influence of the extracellular microenvironment on cardiac reprogramming remains incompletely understood. This understanding is necessary to improve the efficiency of cardiac reprogramming in order to implement this strategy successfully. Here we have identified matrix identity and cell-generated tractional forces as key determinants of the dedifferentiation and differentiation stages during reprogramming. Cell proliferation, matrix mechanics, and matrix microstructure are also important, but play lesser roles. Our results suggest that the extracellular microenvironment can be optimized to enhance cardiac reprogramming.

Thrombin and vascular inflammation

Vascular endothelium is a key regulator of homeostasis. In physiological conditions it mediates vascular dilatation, prevents platelet adhesion, and inhibits thrombin generation. However, endothelial dysfunction caused by physical injury of the vascular wall, for example during balloon angioplasty, acute or chronic inflammation, such as in atherothrombosis, creates a proinflammatory environment which supports leukocyte transmigration toward inflammatory sites. At the same time, the dysfunction promotes thrombin generation, fibrin deposition, and coagulation. The serine protease thrombin plays a pivotal role in the coagulation cascade. However, thrombin is not only the key effector of coagulation cascade; it also plays a significant role in inflammatory diseases. It shows an array of effects on endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes, and platelets, all of which participate in the vascular pathophysiology such as atherothrombosis. Therefore, thrombin can be considered as an important modulatory molecule of vascular homeostasis. This review summarizes the existing evidence on the role of thrombin in vascular inflammation.

Blood components for topical use in tissue regeneration: evaluation of corneal lesions treated with platelet lysate and considerations on repair mechanisms

BACKGROUND

The fields of application of topically administered platelet derivatives are numerous and increasing. The use of this blood component is based on the fact that it contains growth factors and proteins of the clotting system. Studies carried out so far have been aimed at identifying these substances, assaying their content in the various types of platelet concentrate used, determining the in vivo and in vitro mechanisms of action, and trying to standardise the production methods. However, much still remains to be discovered, not only about the growth factors, but also about all those cytokines and biochemical mediators that are involved in the processes of tissue regeneration.

METHODS

We studied the use of platelet lysate, obtained from platelet-rich plasma which had been frozen, for the treatment of corneal ulcers caused by neurotrophic keratitis and of epithelial and stromal loss following physical or chemical trauma. The platelet lysate was administered in the form of eye drops to patients who had not responded to conventional therapy and who were at risk of corneal scarring.

RESULTS

The results were satisfactory in terms of both tissue regeneration and healing time. The clinical follow-up showed a clear reduction in the time of regeneration of the damaged epithelium and stabilisation of the repair process. The epithelial defects disappeared completely in all the treated eyes within 6 to 32 days, with the time depending on the type of lesion and the severity of the damage.

CONCLUSIONS

The cornea reacts to damage by releasing numerous substances, including cytokines, growth factors, proteases and neuropeptides in order to restore its anatomical integrity. A change in the balance between inhibitory and stimulating substances can lead to the development of complications. Fast, correct re-epithelialisation is fundamental for the formation of new, transparent tissue. The use of non-gelified platelet-rich plasma was found to be effective in all cases with loss of epithelium, such as post-herpetic corneal ulcers or ulcers occurring following trauma or exposure to caustic substances.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and alkaline phosphatase in human dental pulp cells

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the implication of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in mediating alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity in human dental pulp cells (HPCs).

STUDY DESIGN

Nuclear translocation of p38 was observed by immunofluorescence in isolated HPCs treated with transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1). TGF-beta1 was used to examine the interaction between p38 MAPK and Smad pathway. Role of p38 kinase in mediating ALPase activity was determined with SB203580, a specific inhibitor for the p38 pathway. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or TGF-beta1 was added to inhibit or increase ALPase activity. Statistical analysis was performed by unpaired t test.

RESULTS

TGF-beta1 induced nuclear translocalization of p38. Blockage of p38 pathway with SB203580 inhibited translocation of Smad2/3 to nuclei. ALPase activity decreased in cells treated with SB203580, in contrast to its vehicle (P < .05). Inhibition on enzyme activity by LPS was exacerbated by SB203580 (P < .05). Treatment with SB203580 before addition of TGF-beta1 also made a significant decrease in ALPase activity (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that p38 MAPK is implicated in regulating ALPase activity in HPCs and may interact with Smad pathway.

Induction of interleukin-8 secretion and activation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK signaling pathways by thrombin in dermal fibroblasts

It was reported that thrombin could induce IL-8 secretion from human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) through activation of proteinase activated receptor (PAR)-1. However, little is known of intracellular signaling pathways involved in the event. In the present study, expression of PARs in primarily cultured HDFs was determined by flow cytometry analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), levels of IL-8 were determined by using ELISA and signaling pathways were examined by using Western blot. It was found that HDFs express PAR-1 and PAR-3, and thrombin induces approximately 7.4-fold increase in IL-8 secretion from HDFs. Hirudin and a PAR-1 blocking antibody completely abolish the action of thrombin. It was also found that PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitor and U0126, an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) blocks thrombin-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and IL-8 secretion, indicating the involvement of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in thrombin-induced IL-8 secretion. p38 MAPK pathway appears also being involved as SB203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK inhibit phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and thrombin-induced IL-8 secretion. Furthermore, Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, but not phosphotidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway may also be activated by thrombin. In conclusion, thrombin potently induce IL-8 release via PAR-1 from HDFs. Thrombin elicited IL-8 release is predominantly conducted through MAPK/ERK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Discovery of the signaling pathways of thrombin in HDFs may help to understand the role of thrombin in inflammation and tissue remodeling.

Tissue regeneration and in loco administration of platelet derivatives: clinical outcome, heterogeneous products, and heterogeneity of the effector mechanisms

BACKGROUND

In loco administration of platelet (PLT) derivatives is a relatively new auxiliary treatment for tissue regeneration to be hastened. Enthusiastic reports are faced by more critical ones. The more obvious rationale for the in vivo administration of PLT derivatives resides in their growth factor content.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The relevant literature was systematically reviewed. Close scrutiny of the technical details was carried out to find out the procedural differences accounting for conflicting results.

RESULTS

An impressively vast heterogeneity of conduct was found in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Major outcome-affecting variables were recognized such as those associated with PLT preparation; growth factor measurement; proliferation test; dose, timing, and administration of the PLT derivatives; study design; and primary endpoints.

CONCLUSIONS

So many variables were found making standardization or confrontation of the in vitro and the in vivo studies barely conceivable or manageable. The mechanisms of action are very complex. The attribution of tissue regeneration capacity of PLT derivatives solely to the PLT-derived growth factors is simplistic. The results obtained through in vitro experiments are indicative for general mechanisms. Their simplistic hold to the complex in vivo environment may be misleading.