Gene expression analysis of resident macrophages in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat molar pulps

In normal dental pulp, a considerable number of resident macrophages are distributed. This study was designed to analyze the expression levels of genes associated with differentiation and function of resident macrophages in rat molar pulps stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Mandibular first molars of 7-week-old male Wistar rats were used. After transcardiac perfusion with a culture medium to preserve tissue integrity, pulpotomy and LPS application were carried out on the experimental teeth, and then dissected mandibles were subjected to whole-tooth culture for 3 days. Normal teeth and pulpotomized teeth without LPS served as controls. The specimens were then immunostained for ED1 (CD68, a general macrophage marker) and ED2 (CD163, a resident macrophage marker). Real-time polymerase chain reaction for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD14, chemokine receptors (CCR2 and CX3CR1), and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF1) mRNAs was carried out after laser capture microdissection of ED1+ and ED2+ cells.

LPS-treated pulps showed significant increases in (1) density of ED1+ and ED2+ cells beneath the amputation site and (2) expression levels of TLR4, CD14, CSF1, and CX3CR1 mRNAs, as compared with non-LPS-treated groups. CCR2 mRNA showed no significant difference between each group.

LPS treatment of cultured rat molars caused the accumulation of resident macrophages and enhanced the expression of TLR4, CD14, CSF1, and CX3CR1 mRNAs in these cells. Up-regulation of these molecules might be involved in the differentiation and subsequent migration of resident macrophages of the pulp.