title: LL37 induces VEGF expression in dental pulp cells through ERK signalling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the in vitro effects of LL37 on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human pulp cells and to identify the intracellular signalling pathway involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pulp cells at passage 6 were treated with 10 μg mL(-1) synthesized LL37, and an inhibition assay was performed with MAPK or NF-κB inhibitors to determine the possible signalling pathway. VEGF mRNA, VEGF protein and phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels were determined by real-time PCR, ELISA and Western blot, respectively. Data were analysed using t-tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LL37 significantly increased both the mRNA and protein levels of VEGF in pulp cells (P < 0.01). However, pre-treatment with an ERK kinase inhibitor suppressed these increases. Furthermore, the inhibitor blocked LL37-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LL37 activated the ERK pathway to boost VEGF secretion from human pulp cells. Because of this angiogenic effect and its reported induction of pulp cell migration and antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria, LL37 may be applicable as a pulp capping material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khung
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shiba
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kajiya
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kittaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ouhara
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Microbiology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Komatsuzawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal Medicine, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kurihara
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001641:Bicuspid; D015153:Blotting, Western; D054804:Cathelicidins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D010766:Phosphorylation; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054804:Cathelicidins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: ERK; LL37; pulp cells; vascular endothelial growth factor