Expression and characterization of vanilloid receptor subtype 1 in human dental pulp cell cultures.

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We examined whether human dental pulp fibroblasts(PF-10) have vanilloid receptor subtype 1(VR1) and its relationship with interleukin(IL)-6 expressions. Results of RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemical analysis indicate VR1 expression on PF-10 cells. As shown by ELISA, VR1 antagonist, capsazepine inhibited capsaicin-induced IL-6 production which is implicated in pulp inflammation. Furthermore, we investigated the activities of mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) in capsaicin induced IL-6 production. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun NH_2-terminal kinase(JNK) were detected after capsaicin stimulation. p38 MAPK is involved in capsaicin-induced IL-6 production, as shown by the use of specific inhibitors of this kinase. The result of EMSA showed capsaicin inhibited tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)-induced nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) activations. These results suggest that the activation of VR1 may play an important role in dental pulp inflammation.