Corticotropin releasing factor receptor expression in painful human dental pulp.
BACKGROUND
Our objective was to correlate the presence of symptoms and dental pulp injury with the amount of a subtype of corticotropin releasing factor receptor (CRF-R) in symptomatic and asymptomatic human teeth. We hypothesized that patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis have increased levels of CRF-R.


METHODS
Dental history, diagnosis and radiographs were obtained from treatment records following extractions. Teeth were diagnosed as asymptomatic or symptomatic demonstrated by clinical and radiographic evaluation. Tissue sections from tooth pulp were immunoreacted with antibodies directed against CRF receptor 2 (CRF-R2) and neurofilament protein and examined to correlate CRF-R expression with pulpal diagnosis.


RESULTS
Our results indicated that symptomatic pulps demonstrated significantly greater expression of CRF-R2. The increased expression was localized on distinct cellular profiles throughout the pulp and was not directly correlated with neurofilament expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the analgesic effects of endogenously produced CRF may be enhanced via upregulation of CRF-R2 expression, and may explain the occurrence of reduced pain symptoms in some patients with irreversible pulpitis. The application of CRF-R agonists may be a feasible strategy in reducing pain associated with irreversible pulpitis.
Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine, 2800 College Avenue, Alton, IL 62002, United States.
Elizabeth
E
Uhrich
Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine, 2800 College Avenue, Alton, IL 62002, United States.
Medha
M
Gautam
Center for Advanced Dental Education, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, United States.
John
J
Hatton
Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine, 2800 College Avenue, Alton, IL 62002, United States. Electronic address: kevin.rowland90@gmail.com.
Kevin
K
Rowland
D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014081:Tooth Extraction
D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
CRF receptors; Dental pulp; Pain; Tooth