Journal Article

The role of NF-kappaB in the inflammatory processes related to dental caries, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, and periodontitis–a narrative review

Han, Yingying, Chen, Zhonglan, Han, Yalin, Lang, Guangping, Xu, Xi, Liang, Xinghua

2024

Overview

Tooth-related inflammatory disorders, including caries, pulpitis, apical periodontitis (AP), and periodontitis (PD), are primarily caused by resident oral microorganisms. Although these dental inflammatory conditions are typically not life-threatening, neglecting them can result in significant complications and greatly reduce an individual’s quality of life. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), a family formed by various combinations of Rel proteins, is extensively involved in inflammatory diseases and even cancer. This study reviews recent data on NF-κB signaling and its role in dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), dental pulp fibroblasts (DPFs), odontoblasts, human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), and various experimental animal models. The findings indicate that NF-κB signaling is abnormally activated in caries, pulpitis, AP, and PD, leading to changes in related cellular differentiation. Under specific conditions, NF-κB signaling occasionally interacts with other signaling pathways, affecting inflammation, bone metabolism, and tissue regeneration processes. In summary, data collected over recent years confirm the central role of NF-κB in dental inflammatory diseases, potentially providing new insights for drug development targeting NF-κB signaling pathways in the treatment of these conditions. Keywords: NF-κB, dental caries, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, periodontitis.

• Publisher: PeerJ. Ltd,PeerJ Inc
• Subject: Analysis / Animals / Apical periodontitis / B cells / Caries / Cell Biology / Cell differentiation / Dental caries / Dental Caries - immunology / Dental Caries - metabolism / Dental Caries - pathology / Dental Pulp - immunology / Dental Pulp - metabolism / Dental Pulp - pathology / Dentistry / Humans / Inflammation / Inflammation - immunology / Inflammation - metabolism / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / NF-kappa B - metabolism / NF-κB / Periapical Periodontitis - immunology / Periapical Periodontitis - metabolism / Periapical Periodontitis - pathology / Periodontitis / Periodontitis - immunology / Periodontitis - metabolism / Periodontitis - pathology / Physiological aspects / Proteins / Pulpitis / Pulpitis - immunology / Pulpitis - metabolism / Pulpitis - pathology / Signal Transduction / Stem cells