Oral Biol Res.  2021 Dec;45(4):187-192. 10.21851/obr.45.04.202112.187.

Fusobacterium nucleatum stimulates dental pulp cells to produce prostaglandin E ₂ via mitogen-activated protein kinases activation

• Kim SH
• Kang IC

• KMID: 2524713
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21851/obr.45.04.202112.187

Abstract

Fusobacterium nucleatum is an important endodontic pathogen, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) has important roles in the development and progression of inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the effects of F. nucleatum on PGE₂ production in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). Cells were stimulated with F. nucleatum and PGE₂ protein and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1/2 mRNA levels determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases was examined by Western blotting. F. nucleatum strains increased PGE₂ production by HDPCs in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, strain 10953 made a stronger response than strain 49256. F. nucleatum dosedependently increased COX-2 mRNA levels without affecting COX-1 expression. Furthermore, celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, blocked PGE₂ production by F. nucleatum. Finally, F. nucleatum activated all three MAP kinases. The pharmacological inhibition of each MAP kinase significantly attenuated F. nucleatum-induced PGE₂ production. These results suggested F. nucleatum induced COX-2-mediated PGE₂ production by HDPCs by activating MAP kinases, thereby promoting endodontic inflammation.

Keyword

Cyclooxygenase-2; Dental pulp; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Prostaglandin E₂