Differential expression of Connexin 43 during dental pulp inflammation and its role in pulpal healing: a translational study determining effect of Connexin 43 downregulation in treatment of pulpitis

Abstract

Dental pulp inflammation, or pulpitis, is a common painful dental condition. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a building block for cellular portals of communication such as hemichannels and gap junctions. These play key roles in coordinating an immune response during pulpitis. It is hypothesized that pathologic expression of these conduits causes an excessive inflammatory response leading to increased host collateral destruction. This thesis investigated Cx43 upregulation during pulpitis in extracted human teeth as well as in a rodent pulpitis model. Subsequently, the therapeutic effect of Cx43 downregulation in the treatment of pulpitis was studied. The use of Cx43 antisense-oligodeoxynucleotide as well as the hemichannel blocker Tonabersat (SB-220453) delivered via various scaffolds were investigated. Finally, a pilot was carried out in a large-animal porcine model to examine the long-term effect of Cx43 downregulation as a therapeutic approach, with the long-term goal of providing effective alternatives in the treatment of pulpitis.