Circulating dentinal antigen-antibody immune complexes during orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

Background: The immunogenic potential of dentin has been reported through dentin-reactive autoantibodies detection in human and animal model. This study aimed to investigate the formation and diagnostic value of immune complexes formation after autoantibodies production, and soluble dentin antigens levels associated to root resorption, in the course of orthodontic tooth movement, in rat experimental model.

Methods: Forty Wistar rats (n = 8 for each group) were submitted to orthodontic tooth movement, in which the maxillary right first molar was mesially moved by applying of 55 g of force for 3, 7, 14, or 21 days. Untreated group was used as control. Circulating autoantibodies to rat dentinal extract, immune complexes, and soluble dentinal antigen levels were determined by immunoenzyme assays. Additionally, dentinal antigens were analyzed by immunoblot.

Results: Higher serum dentin-reactive IgG and immune complex levels were detected in the 14- and 21-day groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively) but not in circulating dentinal antigen levels (p > 0.05), as compared to the control group. Reactivity was found to dentinal components with molecular mass (MM) ~120 and ~150 kDa, by immunoblot.

Conclusion: This work represents the first evidence of immune complexes formation and circulating soluble dentin antigens associated to root resorption in orthodontic tooth movement. Immune complexes formation could be used to early diagnosis of external root resorption.