DKK1 exacerbates dental pulp inflammation: insights from RNA-sequencing analysis

Area of Science:

• Oral Biology
• Immunology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) is linked to inflammatory diseases, but its function in pulpitis is unclear.
• Pulpitis, an inflammation of dental pulp, requires understanding of molecular drivers for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of DKK1 in pulpitis.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which DKK1 influences dental pulp cells (DPCs) during inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Dental pulp cells (DPCs) were treated with varying lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations to induce inflammation.
• RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatic analyses were performed on treated DPCs.
• The effect of recombinant DKK1 on pro-inflammatory cytokine production and gene expression was assessed.

Main Results:

• Distinct transcriptional patterns were observed between moderate (1 μg/ml LPS) and excessive (10 μg/ml LPS) inflammation.
• DKK1 (200 ng/ml) amplified pro-inflammatory cytokine production in moderately inflamed DPCs.
• Bioinformatic analysis identified 24 hub genes, with the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway being significantly enriched.
• DKK1 increased IL-17 receptor expression in inflamed DPCs.

Conclusions:

• DKK1 exacerbates inflammation in DPCs under moderate inflammatory conditions by enhancing pro-inflammatory mediator production.
• The IL-17 signaling pathway may be a key mechanism through which DKK1 modulates pulpitis inflammation.
• Targeting DKK1 presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing moderate pulpitis and preventing its progression.