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Updated: Jul 28, 2025
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Dental Pulp Research with Improved Mouse Models
Published on: October 27, 2023
Dysregulation of MicroRNA-152-3p is Associated with the Pathogenesis of Pulpitis by Modulating SMAD5
Purpose:
To research the role of microRNA (miR)-152 in the pathogenesis of pulpitis using a cell model based on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS).
Materials And Methods:
The biological activity of HDPCs infected by LPS was measured using a cell counting kit (CCK-8), Transwell test, flow cytometry, and fluorescent quantitative PCR. The concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was evaluated using an assay kit, the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the targeting relationship between SMAD5 and miR-152 was measured by the double-luciferase report test. The expression of cell cycle-related CyclinD1 and BAX was assessed by PCR. By plotting a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the diagnostic value of miR-152 was shown.
Results:
The level of miR-152 in HDPCs induced by LPS decreased, while the level of SMAD5 increased. After overexpressing miR-152 in LPS-induced HDPCs, the viability was elevated, the apoptosis rate decreased, CyclinD1 was elevated, BAX diminished, the inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1β) were inhibited, the activity of SOD increased, and the MDA content decreased. miR-152 targeted regulation of SMAD5, and SMAD5 modulated the effects of miR-152 on cell viability, apoptosis, inflammation, and the oxidative response of HDPCs. Reduced miR-152 expression was verified in patients with pulpitis, which could be a biomarker for pulpitis.
Conclusion:
miR-152 was found to be a biomarker correlated with the pathogenesis of pulpitis and the biological behaviour of HDPCs.
Insights
MicroRNA-152 plays a key role in pulpitis pathogenesis. Lower miR-152 levels in human dental pulp cells indicate disease severity and potential as a diagnostic biomarker for pulpitis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Dental Research
Background:
- Pulpitis, a common dental condition, involves inflammation of dental pulp.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in various inflammatory diseases.
- Understanding the role of specific miRNAs in pulpitis pathogenesis is crucial for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA (miR)-152 in the pathogenesis of pulpitis.
- To utilize a cell model of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to mimic pulpitis conditions.
- To assess the diagnostic value of miR-152 in pulpitis.
Main Methods:
- HDPCs were treated with LPS to induce a pulpitis model.
- Cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6), oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA), and cell cycle proteins (CyclinD1, BAX) were measured.
- miRNA-mRNA interactions were confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assays.
- miR-152 expression was analyzed in pulpitis patients.
Main Results:
- LPS treatment decreased miR-152 expression and increased SMAD5 levels in HDPCs.
- Overexpression of miR-152 reversed LPS-induced effects, reducing apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress while enhancing cell viability.
- miR-152 directly targets SMAD5, modulating cellular responses in HDPCs.
- Reduced miR-152 expression was observed in pulpitis patients, suggesting its potential as a biomarker.
Conclusions:
- miR-152 is significantly involved in the pathogenesis of pulpitis.
- miR-152 acts as a protective factor by regulating the biological behavior of HDPCs.
- Decreased miR-152 expression can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for pulpitis.
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