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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice
Published on: August 6, 2019
The influence of mineral trioxide aggregate on adaptive immune responses to endodontic pathogens in mice
Taia Maria Berto Rezende1, Leda Quercia Vieira, Antônio Paulino Ribeiro Sobrinho
1Departamento de Dentística Restauradora, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Abstract:
This study assessed the influence of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on adaptive immune responses. BALB/c mice were immunized with heat-killed Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) in MTA or other control adjuvants, and serum IgG responses to Fn were measured. Either Fn- or Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (Pa)-reactive memory T cells (Tm) were preincubated in vitro with/without MTA and restimulated with Fn or Pa. Tm proliferation and cytokine production were assessed. Compared with control groups, immunoglobulin G-antibody responses were upregulated in mice immunized with Fn in MTA in a similar manner to animals immunized with Fn in Freund's adjuvant or aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Although MTA did not affect the upregulated expression of interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, or RANKL by Tm, it suppressed the proliferation of Pa- or Fn-Tm and inhibited their production of Th1- or Th2-signature cytokines. MTA upregulated the adaptive humoral immune responses but had little or no effect on pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokine production by Tm.
Insights
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) enhances adaptive humoral immune responses, increasing immunoglobulin G-antibody levels. However, MTA suppresses T-cell proliferation and key cytokine production, indicating a complex immunomodulatory effect.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a widely used dental material.
- Its influence on adaptive immune responses remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of MTA on adaptive immune responses.
- To assess MTA's impact on antibody production and T-cell function.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were immunized with heat-killed Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) in MTA or control adjuvants.
- Serum IgG responses to Fn were measured.
- T-cell proliferation and cytokine production were assessed after in vitro incubation with MTA.
Main Results:
- MTA significantly upregulated immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses, comparable to traditional adjuvants.
- MTA suppressed T-cell proliferation and inhibited the production of Th1/Th2 signature cytokines.
- MTA did not alter the expression of IL-10, TNF-alpha, or RANKL by T-cells.
Conclusions:
- MTA acts as an adjuvant, upregulating adaptive humoral immunity.
- MTA exhibits immunosuppressive effects on T-cell proliferation and cytokine profiles.
- The immunomodulatory profile of MTA warrants further investigation for clinical applications.
