Osteoblast expression of cytokines is altered on MTA surfaces

ObjectiveMineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is used within areas of periradicular inflammation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if osteoblasts that attach to MTA surfaces alter their expression of inflammatory cytokines.Study designMouse MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts were seeded onto ProRoot (Pr-MTA) and Tooth-Colored (Tc-MTA) MTA surfaces, as well as commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and tissue culture plastic (TCP) controls. Cell-surface interactions were visualized by inverted fluorescence microscopy. After 24 hours of attachment, the cells were stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsNumerous cells attached and spread out onto Pr-MTA and Tc-MTA, as they did on cpTi and TCP. They formed plentiful extensions and a spindle-shaped morphology on the granular MTA surfaces. Cells grown on TCP and cpTi expressed an abundance of interleukin (IL-6) and IL-1α upon LPS exposure. Cells on Pr-MTA and Tc-MTA produced IL-6 but failed to express IL-1α despite LPS stimulation.ConclusionsOsteoblast expression of inflammatory cytokines is altered on endodontic MTA surfaces compared with titanium implants and plastic controls.