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Related Concept Videos

Thermosensation01:43

Thermosensation

Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
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Tooth Anatomy

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The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
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Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

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Teeth01:15

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Human odontoblasts express functional thermo-sensitive TRP channels: implications for dentin sensitivity.

Ikhlas A El Karim1, Gerard J Linden, Timothy M Curtis

  • 1School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK Laboratoire IMEB, Faculté d Odontologie, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.

Pain
|December 21, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human odontoblasts, the cells in dental pulp, express functional Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channels. These channels are involved in sensing temperature changes in teeth, contributing to thermal sensation.

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Area of Science:

  • Oral biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Ion channel physiology

Background:

  • Odontoblasts in dental pulp are proposed sensory receptors.
  • Evidence for odontoblast roles in thermo-sensation and nociception is limited.
  • Functional expression of thermo-sensitive Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels in human odontoblasts is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular and functional expression of thermo-sensitive TRP channels in human odontoblasts.
  • To determine if odontoblasts play a role in thermal sensation.

Main Methods:

  • Studied cultured odontoblast-like cells and native human odontoblasts.
  • Used PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to detect TRP channel gene and protein expression.
  • Performed functional assays with channel agonists/antagonists and thermal stimuli, including gene silencing.

Main Results:

  • Confirmed gene and protein expression of TRPV1, TRPA1, and TRPM8 channels in odontoblasts.
  • Demonstrated that TRP channel agonists and thermal stimuli evoked calcium ion (Ca2+) transients in odontoblasts.
  • Showed that TRP channel antagonists blocked these responses, confirming channel function.
  • Gene silencing confirmed TRPA1's role in cold sensation.

Conclusions:

  • Human odontoblasts express functional thermo-sensitive TRP channels (TRPV1, TRPA1, TRPM8).
  • These channels are likely involved in mediating thermal sensation in teeth.
  • Odontoblasts may act as crucial sensory receptors for temperature.