International Journal of Oral Biology  2017;42(3):91-97

doi:10.11620/IJOB.2017.42.3.091

Melatonin Rescues Human Dental Pulp Cells from Premature Senescence Induced by H₂O₂.

Sera PARK 1 ; Kwang Je BAK ; Chang Youp OK ; Hyun Joo PARK ; Hye Ock JANG ; Moon Kyoung BAE ; Soo Kyung BAE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Melatonin; premature senescence; human dental pulp cells; H₂O₂

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Although anti-aging activities of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, have been reported in senescence-accelerated mouse models and several types of cells, its impact and mechanism on the senescence of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) remains unknown. In this study, we examined the impact of melatonin on cellular premature senescence of HDPCs. Here, we found that melatonin markedly inhibited senescent characteristics of HDPCs after exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), including the increase in senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal)-positive HDPCs and the upregulation of p21 protein, an indicator for senescence. In addition, as melatonin attenuated H₂O₂-stimulated phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), while selective inhibition of JNK activity with SP600125 significantly attenuated H₂O₂-induced increase in SA-beta-gal activity. Results reveal that melatonin antagonizes premature senescence of HDPCs via JNK pathway. Thus, melatonin may have therapeutic potential to prevent stress-induced premature senescence, possibly correlated with development of dental pulp diseases, and to maintain oral health across the life span.