High-throughput Gene and Protein Expression Analysis in Pulp Biologic Research: Review

Even though the adoption of the high-throughput transcriptomic and proteomic techniques in pulp biology has been fairly slow, their use is increasing and will significantly increase the understanding of pulp tissue physiology and pathology. The comprehensive data of the transcriptome and proteome of the pulp tissue and the odontoblasts will facilitate the understanding of their functions during health and disease and provide novel target molecules for diagnosis and treatment. Identification of the genes controlling odontoblast differentiation might lead to development of methods enabling induction of reparative dentin formation under carious lesions. Identification of the genes active during dentinogenesis might lead to recognition of regulatory factors, which would cause secondary dentinogenesis to proceed at the rate of primary dentinogenesis.