Expression of Early Angiogenesis Indicators in Mature Versus Immature Teeth

Background: Proper oxygen balance in the dental pulp is essential for cell metabolism. Angiogenesis in the pulp is a constant process during the life of the tooth. Hypoxia indicators in a tissue, such as HIF-1α, as well as vascular destabilization markers, such as ANG2 and its receptor TIE2, are necessary for angiogenesis. Therefore the purpose of this study is to evaluate the expression of HIF-1α, ANG1, ANG2 and TIE2 in dental pulp as early angiogenesis indicators in teeth with complete and incomplete root development.

Methods: Forty human dental pulps were obtained from freshly extracted third molars divided into two groups: incomplete (n = 20) and complete (n = 20) root development. Dental pulps were stored at - 80 °C, defrosted in an ice bath and re-frozen with their respective thaws to disintegrate the tissue. Three sonication cycles were performed until the tissues were homogenized, then thaw were centrifuged and the supernatant was collected for the detection of the markers to be studied. The samples were processed for the ELISA test using the ELISA-sandwich principle. Student t and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to determine statistically significant differences between groups.

Results: In the complete root development, HIF-1α, ANG1, ANG2 and TIE2 expressions were significantly higher than their expression in the incomplete root development group.

Conclusions: The angiogenic process seems to be a physiological process in the dental pulp. Angiogenic activity is higher in teeth with mature than immature apex teeth.