Expression of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 in human dental pulp.
BACKGROUND
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is activated by noxious cold (<17°C) and contributes to cold and mechanical hypersensitivity after inflammation and nerve injury.


METHODS
To investigate whether TRPA1 is involved in the mediation of nociception, including noxious cold and cold hypersensitivity in teeth, we examined the expression of TRPA1 and sodium channel Nav1.8 in human dental pulp using fluorescent and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.


RESULTS
TRPA1 was expressed in a large number of axons branching extensively in the peripheral pulp and in a few axons within the nerve bundles in the core of the coronal pulp and in the radicular pulp. Under electron microscopy, TRPA1 immunoreactivity was typically localized near the plasma membrane of unmyelinated axons in the peripheral pulp, suggesting that in these axons it may act as a functional receptor. The proportion of axons expressing TRPA1 in neurofilament 200-positive axons significantly increased in the painful pulp compared with the normal pulp. TRPA1 was also densely expressed in the processes and the cell body of odontoblasts. A large number of axons coexpressed TRPA1 and Nav1.8.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the notion that TRPA1 is involved in the perception of noxious cold and cold hypersensitivity in human dental pulp and that TRPA1-mediated nociception is primarily mediated by axons and odontoblasts in the peripheral pulp.
Department of Oral Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
Yun Sook
YS
Kim
Hoon Kap
HK
Jung
Tae Kyung
TK
Kwon
Chin Soo
CS
Kim
Jin Hyun
JH
Cho
Dong Kuk
DK
Ahn
Yong Chul
YC
Bae
D000293:Adolescent; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000032:analysis*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000294:innervation*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D062559:NAV1.8 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / Q000032:analysis; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D059225:Nociception / Q000502:physiology; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000473:pathology; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
D015220:Calcium Channels; D062559:NAV1.8 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; C568317:SCN10A protein, human; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; C473350:TRPA1 protein, human; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels; C051774:neurofilament protein H