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Reduction of osteocalcin expression in aged human dental pulp
T Muramatsu1, H Hamano, K Ogami
1Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan. tmuramat@tdc.ac.jp
International Endodontic Journal
|October 13, 2005
Summary
Osteocalcin mRNA expression decreases in aged human dental pulp. This reduction in osteocalcin, a key bone protein, may indicate reduced pulp tissue viability in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Dental Research
- Aging
Background:
- Osteocalcin is a crucial non-collagenous matrix protein in bone.
- Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) play a vital role in maintaining pulp tissue health and regeneration.
- Understanding age-related changes in pulp tissue is essential for regenerative dentistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize osteocalcin messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in young versus aged human dental pulp.
- To determine if age impacts osteocalcin expression in dental pulp tissue.
Main Methods:
- Human dental pulp tissues from third molars were collected from young (17-23 years) and aged (>50 years) healthy donors.
- Total RNA was extracted from pulp tissues.
- Osteocalcin mRNA expression was quantified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time RT-PCR (QRT-PCR).
Main Results:
- Osteocalcin mRNA was detected in all human dental pulp samples.
- A significant reduction in osteocalcin mRNA expression was observed in aged dental pulp compared to young pulp.
- Quantitative analysis revealed approximately a sixfold lower expression of osteocalcin mRNA in aged pulp (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- The decreased expression of osteocalcin mRNA in aged dental pulp may be linked to diminished tissue viability.
- Reduced osteocalcin expression appears to be a characteristic feature of aging in human dental pulp.
- These findings contribute to understanding the molecular changes associated with pulp aging.