(PR53) The Molecular Effects of Various Pulp Capping Materials on Human Pulpal Fibroblast: A Proteomics-systems Biology Study

The primary function of pulp capping materials is to induce the formation of tertiary dentin, protect the pulp from further invasion of bacteria, and maintain pulp vitality. While the molecular effect of these materials on human pulpal fibroblast (hDPFs) is an essential factor for predictable healing outcome, such effects have never been well investigated.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to utilize a proteomics-systems biology approach to evaluate the molecular effect of various pulp capping materials on hDPFs.

Method: Human pulp fibroblast were grown in triplicates over plates coated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) (ProRoot), Bioceramic/mineral trioxide aggregate (NeoPutty) (Avalon Biomed®), Bioceramic Putty (BC) (Brasseler®), Biodentine (BioRoot®), ParaCore (Coltene®), or flowable nanohybrid composite (Henry Shein®). hDPFs cells were collected and proteins were extracted at 48 hours and subjected to tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry followed by high throughput proteomic analysis. 2,117 proteins were identified and the molecules with statistically significant differences (p-value <0.05) between the groups were selected using an unpaired t-test with Welch correction.

Results: All tested materials allowed for cell growth and proliferation except for flowable and Paracore. MTA, NeoMTA and BC suppressed the expression of cell differentiation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial genes. Only MTA and NeoMTA suppressed genes responsible for cell proliferation.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the suppressive effects of most commonly used pulp capping materials on hDPFs. MTA, NeoMTA and BC suppressed expression of cell differentiation, apoptotic and mitochondrial genes while Biodentine did not cause significant molecular changes in human pulp fibroblasts.