Proteomic and genomic analysis of acid dentin lysate with focus on TGF-β signaling

Particulate autologous tooth roots are increasingly used for alveolar bone augmentation; however, the proteomic profile of acid dentin lysate and the respective cellular response have not been investigated. Here we show that TGF-β1 is among the 226 proteins of acid dentin lysate (ADL) prepared from porcine teeth. RNA sequencing identified 231 strongly regulated genes when gingival fibroblasts were exposed to ADL. Out of these genes, about one third required activation of the TGF-β receptor type I kinase including interleukin 11 (IL11) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoassay confirmed the TGF-β-dependent expression of IL11 and NOX4. The activation of canonical TGF-β signaling by ADL was further confirmed by the phosphorylation of Smad3 and translocation of Smad2/3, using Western blot and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Finally, we showed that TGF-β activity released from dentin by acid lysis adsorbs to titanium and collagen membranes. These findings suggest that dentin particles are a rich source of TGF-β causing a major response of gingival fibroblasts.