2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate inflammatory effects in human gingival fibroblasts

Di Nisio C, Zara S, Cataldi A, di Giacomo V. 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate inflammatory effects in human gingival fibroblasts. International Endodontic Journal, 46, 466-476, 2013. Aim To investigate the inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) treated with a relatively low 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) concentration by studying reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) gene expression, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release. Methodology Cultured HGFs were exposed to 3mmolL1 HEMA for 0, 24 or 96h. ROS production was investigated by flow cytometry; TNF- and COX-2 gene expression was determined by RT-PCR, and prostaglandin E2 production was detected by an enzyme immunoassay. Results After 24- or 96-h HEMA incubation, ROS levels were approximately eightfold and elevenfold higher than controls, whilst COX-2 gene expression was approximately twofold or fourfold higher than controls, respectively. Twenty-four-hour exposure enhanced TNF- mRNA levels by approximately 66%, whilst after 96-h incubation, TNF- gene expression was fivefold higher than controls. Ninety-six-hour HEMA treatment increased PGE2 concentration in the culture medium by around 17% compared with controls. Conclusions 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate treatment (3mmolL1) induced an inflammatory response in HGFs modulated by ROS production, as well as by the increase in TNF- and COX-2 gene expression and by PGE2 release.