title: Immunohistochemical analysis of nestin, osteopontin, and proliferating cells in the reparative process of exposed dental pulp capped with mineral trioxide aggregate.
abstract: This study investigated the reparative process of mechanically exposed pulps capped with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Maxillary first molars of 8-week-old rats were MTA-capped for 1-14 days, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled proliferating cells and immunoreactivity for nestin and osteopontin were analyzed. MTA capping caused mild necrotic changes followed by progressive new matrix formation and calcified bridging. Proliferating cells peaked at 3 days when matrix formation was inconspicuous. Nestin-expressing cells appeared at 3 days, were arranged beneath the newly formed matrix at 5 days, and showed odontoblast-like morphology by 14 days. Osteopontin immunoreactivity was detected just beneath the necrotic area after 1 day. These findings suggest that pulpal responses to MTA capping involve proliferation and migration of progenitors followed by their differentiation into odontoblast-like cells, a mechanism basically similar to those to calcium hydroxide. Osteopontin might play a triggering role in initiation of the pulpal reparative process.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cariology, Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Department of Oral Health Science, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
authors.forename: Momoko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuratate
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshiba
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shigetani
authors.forename: Nagako
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshiba
authors.forename: Hayato
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohshima
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okiji
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods*; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000628:therapy*; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D064231:Nestin; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D017640:Silicates / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577486:Nes protein, rat; D064231:Nestin; D010087:Oxides; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; D053495:Osteopontin