Identificação do padrão de metilação nos genes IFN- e IL-10 em polpa dental humana

Abstract

DNA methylation is characterized by addition of methyl groups in cytosines within CpG islands. Unmethylated islands are related with transcriptionally active structure, whereas methylated DNA recruits methyl-binding proteins that promotes chromatin compactation. Although epigenetic events can influence the expression of cytokines, it has not been already investigated in dental pulp. The purpose of the presentstudy was to evaluate the methylation status of IFN- gene in human dental pulp affected by inflammation compared with pulp tissue cells of impacted molar teeth. The MSP was used to verify the DNA methylation status. While total methylation was only observed in some samples of the normal dental pulp tissues, partial methylation was found in most of the cases of inflamed pulp tissues. In conclusion, the present studygives the first evidence of the possible participation of epigenetic events in inflamed dental pulp.