Effects of Dental Resins on TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 Expression in Endothelial Cells

Many reports have demonstrated inflammation after the placement of dental restorations. To explain this side-effect, we studied a biomarker in the inflammatory response. The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a key mediator for recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation. Therefore, we investigated whether methacrylates (a BISGMA-based dental resin, BISGMA, and MAA) and Cyracure™ UVR 6105, an epoxy monomer, could alter ICAM-1 expression in unstimulated and TNF-a-stimulated endothelial cells. Six-well plates with monolayers of human umbilical vein cells, ECV 304 (ATCC CRL 1998), were exposed to TNF-a (1 ng/mL) in the presence and absence of subtoxic and TC50 doses of chemicals for 24 hrs at 37°C/5% CO2. Several doses of TNF-a (0.5-2 ng/mL) were co-incubated with 100 μL of undiluted aqueous dental resin extracts. Cells were harvested and stained with mAB FITC-conjugated anti-human ICAM-1 (CD54). ICAM-1 expression was measured by flow cytometry. Cells expressed basal levels of ICAM-1, which was up-regulated by TNF-a but was not changed by all samples studied. Except for UVR 6105, the methacrylates significantly decreased ICAM-1 expression in TNF-α-stimulated cells. These findings suggest that methacrylates may decrease the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of inflammation.