CpG oligonucleotides induce an immune response of odontoblasts through the TLR9, MyD88 and NF-κB pathways

► Mouse odontoblast-like cell line MDPC-23 expressed TLR9. ► CpG ODN-induced a potent proinflammatory response in MDPC-23. ► Specific inhibitor for TLR9 inhibited CpG ODN function in MDPC-23. ► Inhibition of NF-κB signaling suppressed CpG ODN function in MDPC-23. ► Attenuation of MyD88 deminished CpG ODN function in MDPC-23.