Runx2 Gene Expression During Dental Pulp Development

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the Runt-related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2) protein expression role during human dental pulp development. Method: Samples of human dental papilla and dental pulp were obtained in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment from impacted third molars and tooth germs extracted at Chieti University Oral Science Department. All samples selected showed no radiographic or clinical caries evidence, periodontal disease or restoration. RUNX 2 expression was investigated performing Microarray, Western Blot and RT-PCR analysis. Microarray analysis was carried out using high density array containing 21.329 transcripts in replicates and data obtained were statistically analyzed using the S.A.M system (Significance Analysis of Microarray) and I.P.A. (Ingenuity Pathways analysis). Result: RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis data showed RUNX 2 expression was higher in human dental papilla than in dental pulp samples. Moreover, RUNX 2 were mapped to genetic networks available in the S.A.M system and IPA database and then ranked by score to show how their expression change during dental pulp development. Conclusion: In our research we observed the expression profile activity changes of RUNX2 gene family in different dental pulp maturity stages. In different tooth stage growth, the RUNX 2 gene behavior seem to play an important role as key regulator of genes family and proteins involved in human dental pulp and tooth tissues development