The molecular mechanisms of intra-cellular interaction in the trigeminal ganglion underlying ectopic pain associated with tooth pulp inflammation

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K20466
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Conservative dentistry
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: OHARA Kinuyo 日本大学, 歯学部, 専修医 (10731606)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 歯髄炎 / 異所性異常疼痛 / 三叉神経節細胞 / TLR4 / NFkB / MAPキナーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have already reported that Hsp70 is expressed in the tooth pulp and transported to the trigeminal ganglion (TG)-cell bodies, extracellularly secreted from TG-cell bodies, and binds to TLR4 of TG neurons, which causes the enhancement of the excitability of TG neurons innervating the tongue. Based on the present study, following new findings were obtained: 1) TRPV1 expression was enhanced in the activated TG neurons via intracellular NFkB and MAPk cascades. 2) Also, some TG cells innervating both M1 and tongue were activated by tooth pulp inflammation, causing persistent pain in the tongue.

Free Research Field

歯内療法学