Modulatory roles of interferon-γ through indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase induction in innate immune response of dental pulp cells.

INTRODUCTION: Marked infiltration of inflammatory cells such as activated T cells producing interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is observed in severe pulpitis. However, the roles of IFN-γ in the innate immune response of dental pulp have not been reported. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a regulator of immune responses, and the IDO expression is induced by IFN-γ in many cells whose expression in dental pulp is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of IFN-γ in the immune response through microbial pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors or nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors on the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as CXCL10 and interleukin (IL)-6 and the expression of IDO in cultured human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).

METHODS: HDPCs were established from explant cultures of healthy pulp tissues. CXCL10 and IL-6 production was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Confirmation of IDO localization in dental pulp tissues was examined using immunohistochemistry. IDO expression in HDPCs was analyzed by immunoblot.

RESULTS: IFN-γ significantly up-regulated CXCL10 and IL-6 production in the HDPCs stimulated with ligands for PRRs in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression of IDO was detected in inflamed pulp tissue. In addition, IFN-γ in combination with the PRR ligands enhanced IDO expression in HDPCs compared with IFN-γ alone. Moreover, CXCL10 production in IFN-γ-stimulated HDPCs was inhibited by an IDO inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the synergistic effects by IFN-γ on cytokine production and IDO expression in HDPCs, suggesting that IFN-γ may modulate the innate immune response of dental pulp.