Elucidation of dentin regeneration mechanisms through neurotransmitters and innate immune regulation in the dental pulp healing process.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09883
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57030:Conservative dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Kanagawa Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Mutoh Noriko 神奈川歯科大学, 歯学部, 准教授 (40510433)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 石井 信之 神奈川歯科大学, 歯学部, 教授 (20163610) ; 大島 勇人 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 教授 (70251824)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 歯髄 / 自然免疫 / 神経伝達物質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The nerve fibers in dental pulp tissue are free nerve endings where the myelin sheath of peripheral nerve terminals is absent, serving as nociceptors. They release neuropeptides that directly regulate innate immune activation, thereby inducing vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation. Reports indicate significantly higher expression of CGRP released from C fibers in inflamed human dental pulp compared to healthy pulp, consistent with findings from this study. Neuroaxons showing immune reactivity to CGRP were localized in the odontoblastic layer, suggesting that neuroimmune modulation via CGRP may control the innate immune system, promoting reparative

Free Research Field

医歯薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

外的侵襲後の神経ペプチドを介した自然免疫制御メカニズムと修復象牙質形成促進との関わり及び、歯髄修復過程における神経ペプチド、マクロファージの活性化、歯髄幹細胞／前駆細胞の増殖・分化、再生神経線維間の相互関係およびM2マクロファージの活性化と歯髄神経再生が伴っていることについて、組織学的に解析した。歯髄組織においても、CGRPを介した神経系により自然免疫系の制御が起こり、歯の損傷後の歯髄治癒過程に影響があり、修復象牙質形成促進が可能であることが示された。