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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Dental Pulp Research with Improved Mouse Models
Published on: October 27, 2023
Association of S100 calcium-binding protein A12, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, and nuclear factor-κB
Mohammad M Y Khorasani1, Pouria Andam-Shahsavari1, Nahid Zainodini2
1Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Aim:
S100 calcium-binding protein A1 (S100A12) is a pro-inflammatory molecule which is secreted during inflammation and induces chemotaxis and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via interaction with receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and subsequent, activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The present study was designed to determine the expression levels of S100A12, RAGE, and NF-κB in the inflamed pulp of carried teeth.
Methods:
In the present study, mRNA from 50 inflamed pulp and 50 healthy pulp were used for expression studies using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of S100A12, RAGE, and NF-κB were compared between inflamed and healthy tissues.
Results:
The results revealed that the expression of S100A12, but not of RAGE or NF-κB, was significantly decreased in inflamed pulp when compared to healthy pulp. mRNA levels of RAGE were also increased in the inflamed pulp taken from men when compared with women.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that S100A12 does not participate in the induction of inflammation in dental pulp. However, RAGE can participate in the inflammation in the pulp of males.

