EXPRESSION OF HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN-27 IN ADULT HUMAN 3RD MOLAR DENTAL-PULP

This study is the first to define the expression of hsp 27 in the pulp of the adult human third molar. Using a monoclonal antibody against h uman hsp 27, immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the odontoblasts, od ontoblast processes, pulp fibroblasts, and smooth muscle and endotheli al cells of vessel walls. Nerves were negative. Pulp fibroblasts were characterized by cytoplasmic staining and variable nuclear staining. O dontoblasts also displayed consistent cytoplasmic staining and variabl e nuclear staining. Western, Northern, and RT-PCR analysis confirmed t he expression of hsp 27 mRNA and protein. Hsp 27 was also shown to be present in both the unphosphorylated and phosphorylated isoforms. In g eneral, nuclear localization and phosphorylation of hsp 27 has been co rrelated with cells responding to stress or other stimuli. This study demonstrates that pulp from a single human third molar provides suffic ient material to support a detailed molecular analysis of gene express ion.