(PR29) Effect of an Antimicrobial Peptide LL37 on Stem Cell Activity in LPS-Induced Inflammatory Condition

Aim: An antimicrobial peptide, LL37, results in bacterial lysis and neutralization of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This study examined the effect of LL37 on the proliferation, migration, and mineralization potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) in LPS-simulated inflammatory condition.

Methods: DPSCs were cultured in the growth medium (GM) or odontogenic medium (OM) containing LL37 (10 micrograms/ml) in the presence or absence of LPS. Cell viability was determined using WST cell viability assay after seven days. Cell migration was analyzed using Transwell migration assay after one day, and the mineralization was determined using Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and Alizarin Red staining after 21 days of incubation in OM. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA with pair-wise comparisons.

Results: Cell viability was similar in all experimental conditions (p>0.05). LL37 significantly reduced cell migration regardless of LPS stimulation (p < 0.05). A significant reduction was observed in the ALP activity of DPSCs when LL37 was applied in an LPS-simulated condition (p < 0.05), while LL37 did not affect the mineralization of DPSCs in LPS negative culture condition (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The findings showed that LL37 reduced cell migration regardless of LPS-induction and reduced the mineralization of DPSCs in LPS-simulated inflammatory condition.