Study of the NLRP3 inflammasome-autophagy interplay in odontoblast differentiation using an extra-oral tooth transplantation model

• Project/Area Number: 23K09227
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57040:Regenerative dentistry and dental engineering-related
• Research Institution: Aichi Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: モンテネグロ・ラウダレス ホルヘ・ルイス 愛知学院大学, 歯学部, 助教 (10866990)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 本田 雅規 愛知学院大学, 歯学部, 教授 (70361623)
• Project Period (FY): 2023-04-01 – 2026-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2023)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000); Fiscal Year 2024: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2023: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
• Keywords: Autophagy / NLRP3 inflammasome / Dental pulp regeneration

Outline of Research at the Start

Achieving complete and functional dental pulp tissue regeneration remains a challenge. Data shows that autophagy improves dental pulp regeneration by enhancing vascularization. The protein complex, NLRP3 inflammasome, inhibits autophagy, therefore, their role in dental regeneration needs clarification. Thus, we aim to study if NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition promotes odontoblast formation in an extra-oral tooth transplantation model. Using NLRP3-specific inhibitors and histological analysis of dental pulp, the role of NLRP3-autophagy interplay in dental pulp regeneration will be elucidated.