Human odontoblasts express functional thermo-sensitive TRP channels: Implications for dentin sensitivity

• Published in: Pain (Amsterdam) Vol. 152; no. 10; pp. 2211 - 2223
• Main Authors: El Karim, Ikhlas A., Linden, Gerard J., Curtis, Timothy M., About, Imad, McGahon, Mary K., Irwin, Chris R., Lundy, Fionnuala T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier B.V 01.10.2011; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc; Elsevier; Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Calcium Channels - biosynthesis; Calcium Channels - genetics; Calcium Channels - physiology; Cell receptors; Cell structures and functions; Cold Temperature - adverse effects; Dental pulp; Dentin Sensitivity - genetics; Dentin Sensitivity - metabolism; Dentin Sensitivity - pathology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hot Temperature - adverse effects; Humans; Life Sciences; Miscellaneous; Molecular and cellular biology; Nerve Tissue Proteins - biosynthesis; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology; Nociceptors - metabolism; Nociceptors - pathology; Odontoblast; Odontoblasts - metabolism; Odontoblasts - pathology; Primary Cell Culture; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Thermosensing - genetics; Transient Receptor Potential Channels - biosynthesis; Transient Receptor Potential Channels - genetics; Transient Receptor Potential Channels - physiology; TRP channels; TRPA1 Cation Channel; TRPM Cation Channels - biosynthesis; TRPM Cation Channels - genetics; TRPM Cation Channels - physiology; TRPV Cation Channels - biosynthesis; TRPV Cation Channels - genetics; TRPV Cation Channels - physiology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Odontoblast; TRP channels; Dental pulp; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Nociception; Sensation; Temperature; Calcium; Cold; Environmental factor; Sensory receptor; Protein; Sensitivity; TRPV1 vanilloid receptor; TRP ion channel; Immunoblotting assay; Tooth
• ISSN: 0304-3959; 1872-6623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2010.10.016

Odontoblasts form the outermost cellular layer of the dental pulp where they have been proposed to act as sensory receptor cells. Despite this suggestion, evidence supporting their direct role in mediating thermo-sensation and nociception is lacking. Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels directly mediate nociceptive functions, but their functional expression in human odontoblasts has yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we have examined the molecular and functional expression of thermo-sensitive TRP channels in cultured odontoblast-like cells and in native human odontoblasts obtained from healthy wisdom teeth. PCR and western blotting confirmed gene and protein expression of TRPV1, TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels. Immunohistochemistry revealed that these channels were localised to odontoblast-like cells as determined by double staining with dentin sialoprotein (DSP) antibody. In functional assays, agonists of TRPV1, TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels elicited [Ca2+]i transients that could be blocked by relevant antagonists. Application of hot and cold stimuli to the cells also evoked rises in [Ca2+]i which could be blocked by TRP-channel antagonists. Using a gene silencing approached we further confirmed a role for TRPA1 in mediating noxious cold responses in odontoblasts. We conclude that human odontoblasts express functional TRP channels that may play a crucial role in mediating thermal sensation in teeth. Cultured and native human odontoblasts express functional TRP channels that may play a crucial role in mediating thermal sensation in teeth.