Chronic tooth pulp inflammation induces persistent expression of phosphorylated ERK (pERK) and phosphorylated p38 (pp38) in trigeminal subnucleus caudalis.
BACKGROUND
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase are transiently phosphorylated (activated) in the spinal cord and trigeminal nucleus by acute noxious stimuli. Acute stimulation of dental pulp induces short-lived ERK activation in trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), and p38 inhibition attenuates short-term sensitization in Vc induced by acute pulpal stimulation. We have developed a model to study central changes following chronic inflammation of dental pulp that induces long-term sensitization. Here, we examine the effects of chronic inflammation and acute stimulation on the expression of phosphorylated ERK (pERK), phosphorylated p38 (pp38) and Fos in Vc.


RESULTS
Chronic inflammation alone induced bilateral expression of pERK and pp38 in Vc, but did not induce Fos expression. Stimulation of both non-inflamed and inflamed pulps significantly increased pERK and pp38 bilaterally; expression was greatest in inflamed, stimulated animals, and was similar following 10-min and 60-min stimulation. Stimulation for 60 min, but not 10 min, induced Fos in ipsilateral Vc; Fos expression was significantly greater in inflamed, stimulated animals. pERK was present in both neurons and astrocytes; pp38 was present in neurons and other non-neuronal, non-astrocytic cell types.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides the first demonstration that chronic inflammation of tooth pulp induces persistent bilateral activation of ERK and p38 within Vc, and that this activation is further increased by acute stimulation. This altered activity in intracellular signaling is likely to be linked to the sensitization that is seen in our animal model and in patients with pulpitis. Our data indicate that pERK and pp38 are more accurate markers of central change than Fos expression. In our model, localization of pERK and pp38 within specific cell types differs from that seen following acute stimulation. This may indicate specific roles for different cell types in the induction and maintenance of pulpitic and other types of pain.
Unit of Oral & Maxillofacial Medicine & Surgery, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK.
M A
MA
Worsley
Unit of Oral & Maxillofacial Medicine & Surgery, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK.
C E
CE
Allen
Neuroscience, GlaxoSmithKline, Harlow, UK.
A
A
Billinton
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, UK.
A E
AE
King
Unit of Oral & Maxillofacial Medicine & Surgery, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK. Electronic address: f.boissonade@sheffield.ac.uk.
F M
FM
Boissonade
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D002452:Cell Count; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010784:Photomicrography; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000378:metabolism; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014275:Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
MAPK; chronic inflammation; pERK; pain; pp38; trigeminal nucleus