Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） in human dental pulp tissues of different state and the bFGF level in human dental pulp cells （hDPCs）stimulated by lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， and explore the potential role of bFGF in the progress of repairing pulp injury.

Methods

The messenger RNA and protein level of bFGF in normal and inflammatory pulp were detected by fluorescence quantitative-polymerase chain reaction （qPCR） and western blot. HDPCs were collected after stimulated by 1 mg/L LPS for 6， 12， 24 and 48 h. The expression of bFGF and HSP70 in hDPCs was evaluated by qPCR. In addition， the protein level of bFGF in in normal and LPS treated hDPCs were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence staining.

Results

The mRNA and protein level of bFGF was significantly up-regulated in the pulp with deep caries compared with healthy pulps， while inflamed dental pulp did not show significant difference.QPCR showed that bFGF and HSP70 mRNA were concomitantly increased from 0 h to 12 h after stimulated by LPS. Similarly， it was shown that bFGF was increased in LPS treated hDPCs compared with normal hDPCs by western blot. Moreover， immunofluorescence staining results demonstrated that bFGF was strongly positive stained in LPS treated hDPCs， while it was weakly expressed in normal hDPCs.

Conclusion

BFGF is up-regulated in pulp with deep caries and hDPCs induced by LPS，indicating that bFGF may participates in the progress of repairing pulp injury.

Key words: Basic fibroblast growth factor, Lipopolysaccharide, Dental pulp cells, Repair of pulp injury