Involvement of SDF-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in hydrogen peroxide-induced extracellular matrix degradation in human dental pulp cells.

Aim: To determine whether chemokines such as SDF-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are responsible for hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-induced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and to identify the underlying mechanism in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).

Method: Human dental pulp cells were exposed to 0.4 mmol H2 O2 for 48 h. mRNA expression and protein expression were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The mRNA expression of chemokine (SDF-1 and MCP-1), their receptors (CXCR4 and CXCR2) and extracellular matrix proteins was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The production of SDF-1, MCP-1, CXCR4 and CCR2 in the culture medium was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Signal transduction pathway was examined by Western blotting.

Results: Hydrogen peroxide provoked the activation of MCP-1 and SDF-1 mRNA and their respective receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR2. H2 O2 treatment concomitantly downregulated the expression of ECM molecules, such as type I collagen, elastin and fibronectin, and upregulated the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-2, MMP-8 and MMP-9. Hydrogen peroxide-induced ECM degradation and MMP upregulation were blocked by neutralizing antibodies and siRNAs directed against SDF-1 and MCP-1. Inhibition of SDF-1 and MCP-1 blocked the H2 O2 -induced activation of Akt, p38, ERK and NF-kB.

Conclusion: Inhibition of SDF and MCP-1 is a potent component of reducing release reactive oxygen species-induced ECM degradation in HDPCs and may play an important role in pulpal and periapical inflammation.