Effects of pulpotomy using mineral trioxide aggregate on prostaglandin transporter and receptors in rat molars

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a commonly used dental pulp-capping material with known effects in promoting reparative dentinogenesis. However, the mechanism by which MTA induces dentine repair remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) in dentine repair by examining the localisation and mRNA expression levels of its transporter (Pgt) and two of its receptors (Ep2 and Ep(4)) in a rat model of pulpotomy with MTA capping. Ep(2) expression was detected in odontoblasts, endothelial cells, and nerve fibres in normal and pulpotomised tissues, whereas Pgt and Ep(4) were immunolocalised only in the odontoblasts. Moreover, mRNA expression of Slco2a1 (encoding Pgt), Ptger(2) (encoding Ep(2)), and Ptger(4) (encoding Ep(4)) was significantly upregulated in pulpotomised dental pulp and trigeminal ganglia after MTA capping. Our results provide insights into the functions of PGE(2) via Pgt and Ep receptors in the healing dentine/pulp complex and may be helpful in developing new therapeutic targets for dental disease.