Expression and function of dopamine in odontoblasts.

Dopamine (DA) is produced from tyrosine by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). A recent study has reported that DA promotes the mineralization of murine preosteoblasts. However, the role of DA in odontoblasts has not been examined.

Senescence and odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp cells.

Cellular senescence has been suggested to be involved in physiological changes of cytokine production. Previous studies showed that the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is higher in the blood of aged people compared with that of young people. So far, the precise effects of TNF-α on the odontoblastic differentiation of pulp cells have been controversial.