Host defense peptides combined with MTA extract increase the repair in dental pulp cells: in vitro and ex vivo study

Abstract

Host Defense Peptides (HDPs) have, in previous studies, been demonstrating antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory capacity, important factors in the repair process. Knowing these characteristics, this article aims to evaluate the potential of HDPs IDR1018 and DJK-6 associated with MTA extract in the repair process of human pulp cells. Antibacterial activity of HDPs, MTA and HDPs combined with MTA in Streptococcus mutans planktonic bacteria and antibiofilm activity was evaluated. Cell toxicity was assayed with MTT and cell morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Proliferation and migration of pulp cells were evaluated by trypan blue and wound healing assay. Inflammatory and mineralization related genes were evaluated by qPCR (IL-6, TNFRSF, DSPP, TGF-β). Alkaline phosphatase, phosphate quantification and alizarin red staining were also verified. The assays were performed in technical and biological triplicate (n = 9). Results were submitted for the calculation of the mean and standard deviation. Then, normality verification by Kolmogorov Smirnov test, analyzing one-way ANOVA. Analyses were considered at a 95% significance level, with a p-value < 0.05. Our study demonstrated that HDPs combined with MTA were able to reduce biofilms performed in 24 h and biofilm performed over 7 days S. mutans biofilm (p < 0.05). IDR1018 and MTA, as well as their combination, down-regulated IL-6 expression (p < 0.05). Tested materials were not cytotoxic to pulp cells. IDR1018 induced high cell proliferation and combined with MTA induced high cellular migration rates in 48 h (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the combination of IDR1018 and MTA also induced high expression levels of DSPP, ALP activity, and the production of calcification nodules. So, IDR-1018 and its combination with MTA could assist in pulp-dentine complex repair process in vitro.

Harnessing antimicrobial peptides in endodontics

“…IDR‐1018 has been reported in the literature as an agent with a wide range of biological activities. In addition to the substantial antibiofilm activity mentioned previously, they also have pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory functions, low cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity (Silva et al., 2023). A study by Silva et al.…”

“…IDR-1018 has been reported in the literature as an agent with a wide range of biological activities. In addition to the substantial antibiofilm activity mentioned previously, they also have pro-and anti-inflammatory functions, low cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity (Silva et al, 2023). A study by Silva et al (2023) aimed to evaluate the potential of IDR-1018, DJK-6 and their association with MTA extract, in the repair process of the pulp-dentine complex.…”

“…In addition to the substantial antibiofilm activity mentioned previously, they also have pro-and anti-inflammatory functions, low cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity (Silva et al, 2023). A study by Silva et al (2023) aimed to evaluate the potential of IDR-1018, DJK-6 and their association with MTA extract, in the repair process of the pulp-dentine complex. In an inflamed-pulp cell state, MTA in combination with the IDR1018 peptide showed a greater reduction in IL-6 compared with MTA alone.…”

“…A study by Silva et al. (2023) aimed to evaluate the potential of IDR‐1018, DJK‐6 and their association with MTA extract, in the repair process of the pulp–dentine complex. In an inflamed‐pulp cell state, MTA in combination with the IDR1018 peptide showed a greater reduction in IL‐6 compared with MTA alone.…”

Antibiofilm, regenerative and bone homeostasis potential of the synergistic association of synoeca-MP peptide with chlorhexidine in oral cavity opportunistic infections

“…Host defense peptides (HDPs) are a class of biomolecules that can have both antimicrobial acivity against bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as performing important immunomodulatory functions in angiogenesis, wound healing, and chemotaxis [12]. In addition, it has been shown that some peptides increase antibiotic action to prevent bio lm formation and eradicate mature bio lms [13]. One example is the synergistic combination of peptide IDR 1018 with low levels of the antibiotics ceftazidime, cipro oxacin, imipenem, or tobramycin, which was able to reduce the concentration of antibiotic required to eradicate bio lms [12,13].…”