(PO106) Molecular Characterization of Pulpitis

Abstract: Protein expression analysis can demonstrate the inflammatory profile of the dental pulp and may identify cases with reversible versus irreversible pulpitis. By understanding the molecular mediators present in the inflamed pulp, particularly as they relate to the patient’s subjective and objective findings, the pulp’s capacity for healing following vital pulp therapy may be determined. This study examined the differential expression of a panel of molecular mediators, at the protein level, with clinical presentation and diagnoses of reversible or irreversible pulpitis in maxillary and mandibular first and second molars (n=10). Patient information collected included: HbA1C, bite force on the tooth compared to the contralateral molar, presenting pain severity, the worst pain level experienced with the tooth, cold pain duration difference between control and diseased teeth, and several other presenting signs and symptoms. Dental pulp was sampled. The Luminex technology was used to assess the expression of 45 inflammatory proteins and their association with the clinical signs and symptoms of reversible or irreversible pulpitis. The results demonstrated a significant correlation between HbA1C levels and CCL5/RANTES (r = .81, p < .05), P-Selectin (r = .68, p < .05), and CCL11 (r = .78, p < .01). Statistically significant correlations (p < .05) were also found between presenting pain severity and CCL5/RANTES (r = .81), P-Selectin (r = .75), RAGE (r = .67), and CCL11 (r = .71). Additional significant correlations (p < .05) were found between the difference in cold pain duration and CCL5/RANTES (r = .89), P-Selectin (r = .67), and CCL11 (r = .87). It is concluded that several pain parameters correlate with pulpal chemokines and an adhesion molecule.