M. Felaco et al., Localization of the e-NOS enzyme in endothelial cells and odontoblasts of healthy human dental pulp, LIFE SCI, 68(3), 2000, pp. 297-306
Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) are important enzymes present in different cel
ls such as endothelial cells,;macrophages, etc. Recently, it has been found
that nitric oxide (NO) is responsible for vasodilation, blood pressure reg
ulation, platelet aggregation, cardiac contractility, and the mediation of
immunity during bacterial infections and inflammation. However, the product
ion and role of NO in various structures of the oral cavity have not been i
nvestigated extensively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence
of e-NOS in healthy human odontoblasts and endothelial cells of the dental
pub. Twenty healthy human dental pulps were collected and frozen and pulp
slices were obtained using a cryostat. The e-NOS enzyme was revealed by imm
unohistochemical analysis and the enzyme level was detected by Western blot
ting and mRNA expression by RT-PCR. The immunohistochemical results demonst
rated, for the first time, the presence of e-NOS in odontoblasts and in end
othelial cells. The presence of e-NOS m-RNA was confirmed by RT-PCR and the
expression of the protein by Western blotting. These results clearly show
that the e-NOS enzyme is present in both odontoblasts and endothelial cells
of healthy human pulp. The presence of e-NOS in the odontoblast and endoth
elial cells of the dental pulp may mediate local vasodilation and cell prol
iferation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.