OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of macrophage migration-inhibitory factors (MIF) in clinically healthy and inflamed human pulp tissues and the effects of rhMIF on the proliferation of human dental pulp cells (HDPC).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization of MIF expression in clinically healthy pulp and inflamed pulp tissues. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to evaluate the mRNA levels of MIF in pulp specimens. In addition, the culture supernatants of HDPC were collected after HDPC was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h, and then the MIF levels were assayed by quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Meanwhile, the effects of rhMIF on the proliferation of HDPC at different concentrations for 24 and 48 h were observed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).

RESULTSMIF was mainly distributed in odontoblasts of healthy pulp tissue, however, in inflamed pulp tissue, it was widely detected in fibroblasts, inflammatory infiltrates and endothelial cells as well as odontoblasts. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that there was no significant difference in MIF mRNA levels between inflamed pulps and healthy pulps (P > 0.05). Additionally, the secretion of MIF was significantly increased by stimulation with LPS at the concentration of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L [(1772.58 ± 495.05), (1692.58 ± 337.45) ng/L] (P < 0.05), and the concentration was (1048.53 ± 161.81) ng/L in control group. rhMIF stimulated the HDPC's proliferation at the concentration of 10, 30, 60 µg/L for 24 and 48 h.

CONCLUSIONSMIF was expressed in pulp tissue and its expression was increased after stimulation by LPS. rhMIF increased the proliferation of HDPC. These results suggest that MIF may be involved in the process of pulpal inflammation.