Role of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in the regulation of interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in human dental pulp

Aim To determine whether leucocyte infiltration during neurogenic inflammation in the pulp is regulated by neuropeptides via inducing the release of proinflammatory chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) from human dental pulp. Methodology Cultured primary pulp cells and pulp tissue explants were stimulated with substance P (SP) and/or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). IL-8 or MCP-1, secreted from cultured cells or produced in pulp explants, was analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Substance P induced IL-8 secretion from cultured pulp cells (approximately threefold increase over control, P