Expression status of mRNA for sex hormone receptors in human dental pulp cells and the response to sex hormones in the cells.

Objectives: Sex hormone receptors are reported to be present in human dental pulp (HDP) cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the biological significance of oestrogen and androgen receptors (ER and AR, respectively) in HDP cells.

Design: We isolated HDP cells expressing ER- and AR-mRNAs and investigated the expression status of the receptors and the response to sex hormones in the cells.

Results: HDP cells expressing ER- and/or AR-mRNAs had the ability to form alizarin red S-positive nodules in which calcium and phosphorus were deposited in vitro and to differentiate into odontoblasts-like cells and dentine-like tissue in vivo. Individual clones isolated from HDP cells exhibited a different expression pattern of mRNA for ER and AR. Some clones expressed ERα- and/or ERβ-mRNAs and the others coexpressed ER- and AR-mRNAs. Using the Ingenuity software, we found that 17β-estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could act directly on HDP cells through ER-or androgen signalling-mediated mechanisms. E2 or DHT stimulated the mRNA expression for genes related to odontogenesis of dentine-containing teeth and odontoblast differentiation, suggesting that ER and AR in HDP cells may be involved in dentinogenesis.

Conclusions: Our findings provide new insights into the biological significance of sex hormone receptors in HDP cells.