De-Regulation of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Human Fibroblasts after Long-term and Low Concentrations of HEMA Exposition

Background: 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) is one of the common components of most resin-based dental materials. Various studies have shown that HEMA can diffuse through dentin due to its low molecular weight and its hydrophilicity, and can affect the underlying odontoblast, cell division and activity. In this work, we have studied the influence of HEMA in regulating the expression of pro-collagen α1 type I and tenascin - C proteins in human fibroblasts after long term and low concentrations of HEMA. Methods: Human dental pulp cells were exposed to 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 15 days. MTT assay, immunofluorescence and western blot analysis were carried out to investigate cell viability and modification in collagen type I and tenascin – C protein expression. Results: MTT assay showed an high cell viability, western blot and immunofluorescence demonstrated a down-regulation of collagen type I protein and un up-regulation of tenascin - C protein, the latter involved in cellular stress. Conclusion: low concentrations and long-term HEMA exposition, greatly influences the expression of collagen type I protein and tenascin – C protein in human dental pulp cells, modifying the extracellular matrix toward a stressful microenvironment.