Blockade of TLR2 Inhibits Porphyromonas gingivalis Suppression of Mineralized Matrix Formation by Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells

IntroductionHuman dental pulp stem/progenitor cells (hDPSC) can differentiate into odontoblast-like cells and express dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and osteocalcin (OCN); thus, they may be used to regenerate dentin. However, residual bacterial components in the root canal may suppress this activity.PurposeThis study investigated the effect of a Porphyromonas gingivalis component on the expression of DSPP and OCN by stimulated hDPSCs and the influence of blockade of TLR2-mediated P. gingivalis host recognition.MethodsStimulated hDPSCs were exposed to varying concentrations of P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the expression of DSPP and OCN was measured. Similar groups of stimulated hDPSCs were exposed to TLR2 blocking agents before exposure to LPS.ResultshDPSCs exposed to 5, 10, and 20 μg/mL LPS exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in the expression of DSPP (3.19 ± 0.18, 2.60 ± 0.49, and 1.15 ± 0.29, respectively) and OCN (3.51 ± 1.18, 2.60 ± 0.67 and 1.66 ± 0.89, respectively). The expression of DSPP and OCN after exposure to 20 μg/mL of LPS was significantly lower than measured for unexposed stimulated cells (analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test, P < .05). The blockade of TLR2 using an extra- and intracellular agent affected DSPP (4.67 ± 0.97 and 5.29 ± 1.66, respectively) and OCN (5.25 ± 1.69 and 5.82 ± 2.38, respectively) expression at levels comparable to stimulated cells unexposed to 20 μg/mL LPS (6.32 ± 2.47 and 4.70 ± 1.60 for DSPP and OCN, respectively).ConclusionsThe suppressing effect of P. gingivalis on mineralized matrix formation by hDPSCs is confirmed, and this suppression can be moderated by TLR2 blockade.