3 Effects of Rac1 on the production of MMP-3 in human dental pulp fibroblast-like cells

Abstract

Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were previously shown to be secreted in pulpitic tissue during the caries process. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-1, 2, 3, and 14 were also shown to be expressed in inflamed dental pulp. Dental pulp destruction may be regulated, in part, by MMP-3. In addition, other MMPs activated by MMP-3 have been shown to regulate the degradation and regeneration of dental pulp. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is a pleiotropic regulator of many cellular processes, including cell growth, cytoskeletal reorganization, and the activation of protein kinases. We hypothesized that Rac1 may negatively regulate the production of MMP-3 from human pulp fibroblasts.