Effect of α7 nAChR-autophagy axis of deciduous tooth pulp stem cells in regulating IL-1β in the process of physiological root resorption of deciduous teeth

• Published in: Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany) Vol. 102; no. 9; pp. 1135 - 1149
• Main Authors: Di, Tiankai, Chen, Yujiang, Zhou, Zhifei, Liu, Jiajia, Du, Yang, Feng, Chao, Zhu, Bin, Wang, Lulu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acetylcholine receptors (nicotinic); Autophagy; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Dental pulp; Developmental stages; Human Genetics; IL-1β; Inflammation; Internal Medicine; Molecular Medicine; Original Article; Physiology; Root resorption; Stem cells; Teeth; Physiological root resorption; IL-1β; α7 nAChR; Mechanical stress; Autophagy; Deciduous dental pulp stem cells
• ISSN: 0946-2716; 1432-1440; 1432-1440
• DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02466-0

Physiological root resorption of deciduous teeth is a normal phenomenon occurring during the developmental stages of children. Previous research has indicated the pivotal role of the inflammatory microenvironment in this process, although the specific mechanisms remain unclear. This study is aimed at elucidating the involvement of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChR)-autophagy axis in the regulation of the inflammatory microenvironment during physiological root resorption in deciduous teeth. Samples were collected from deciduous teeth at various stages of physiological root resorption, and deciduous dental pulp stem cells (DDPSCs) were isolated and cultured during the mid-phase of root resorption. The findings revealed a substantial infiltration of the pulp of deciduous teeth at the mid-phase of root resorption, characterized by elevated expression levels of α7 nAChR and IL-1β. Significantly increased IL-1β and α7 nAChR expressions were observed in DDPSCs during the mid-phase of root resorption, with α7 nAChR demonstrating a regulatory effect on IL-1β. Moreover, evidence suggested that mechanical stress may act as a trigger, regulating autophagy and IL-1 expression via α7 nAChR. In conclusion, mechanical stress was identified as a regulator of autophagy in DDPSCs through α7 nAChR, influencing the expression of IL-1β and contributing to the formation of the inflammatory microenvironment. This mechanism plays a crucial role in the physiological root resorption of deciduous teeth. Key messages The pulp of deciduous teeth at mid-phase of root resorption was heavily infiltrated with high expression of α7nAChR and IL-1β. α7 nAChR acts as an initiating factor to regulate IL-1β through autophagy in DDPSCs. Mechanical stress can regulate autophagy of DDPSCs through α7 nAChR and thus affect IL-1β expression and inflammatory microenvironment formation in physiological root resorption in deciduous teeth.