[Proteomic analysis of dental pulp serum in pulpitis at different stages].

PURPOSE: To investigate the differentially expressed proteins in dental pulp serum of pulpitis at different stages.

METHODS

Dental pulp serum was collected from 9 pulpitis patients and categorized into three groups: initial pulpitis (IP), mild to moderate pulpitis (MP) and severe pulpitis (SP). Proteomics technology was utilized to screen for differentially expressed proteins. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis were then conducted using the Metascape database, while protein-protein interaction analysis was performed with the STRING database.

RESULTS

Compared with the IP group, the MP group had 20 upregulated proteins and 23 downregulated proteins, while the SP group had one upregulated protein and 44 downregulated proteins. Compared to the MP group, the SP group had 9 upregulated proteins and 15 downregulated proteins. The differential proteins were mainly involved in key biological processes such as cellular response to stress, adaptive immune response, and the Parkin-ubiquitin proteasomal system. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified several key functional nodes, including CCT6A.

CONCLUSIONS

This study analyzed the differential expression of proteins in dental pulp serum between early, mild to moderate, and severe pulpitis, providing a theoretical basis for accurate diagnosis and clinical decision-making of pulpitis.