OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of emdogain(EMD) on the expression of the bone sialoprotein(BSP) gene in human dental pulp cells and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of BSP gene regulated by EMD.

METHODSHuman dental pulp was harvested from premolars freshly extracted for orthodontic purpose and cultured. Cells were divided into different concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 250 mg/L) of EMD and control groups (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium). Total RNA of cells was extracted. Human BSP mRNA levels was detected with the real-time PCR. Regulations of EMD on human BSP protein levels were detected with Western blotting.

RESULTSIn the real-time PCR, at the same time point, there were significant differences on BSP mRNA levels between 25, 50, 100 and 250 mg/L EMD groups (7 d:1.79 ± 0.03, 2.03 ± 0.10, 2.67 ± 0.08, 2.94 ± 0.07) and control group (7 d:1.06 ± 0.11) (P < 0.001); at the different time point (1, 3, 5 and 7 d), the same dose(250 mg/L) of EMD stimulated human dental pulp cells, BSP mRNA (2.30 ± 0.06, 2.65 ± 0.05, 2.76 ± 0.05, 2.94 ± 0.07) was increased (P < 0.05). Treatment of human dental pulp cells with EMD (250 mg/L) increased the protein levels.

CONCLUSIONSEMD increases BSP mRNA and protein levels in human dental pulp cells.