中文摘要：

目的：研究人牙髓成纤维细胞（human dental pulp fibroblasts，HDPF）中炎症体NLRP3、Caspase-1基因和蛋白的表达和相关调控因素。方法：分别利用免疫细胞化学染色和RT-PCR检测NLRP3、Caspase-1、P2X7、IL-β基因和NLRP3、Caspase-1蛋白在正常HDPF中的表达情况；利用荧光实时定量PCR检测变异链球菌和ATP刺激后，HDPF中NLRP3、Caspase-1、P2X7、IL-β基因表达的变化。结果：NLRP3、Caspase-蛋白和NLRP3、Caspase-1、P2X7、IL-β基因在正常HDPF中均有表达；HDPF经ATP和变异链球菌共同刺激后，NLRP3、Caspase-1、P2X7、IL-β mRNA表达水平均明显升高，与对照组相比，差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；而单独ATP或变异链球菌刺激后，各基因的表达水平变化不明显（P〉0．05）。结论：在正常HDPF中存在着NLRP3、Caspase-1炎症体通路；ATP和变异链球菌共同刺激能调节NLRP3、Caspase-1炎症体通路。

英文摘要：

AIM： To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of inflammasome NLRP3 and Caspase- 1, as well as their regulatory factors in human dental pulp fibroblasts （HDPFs）. METHODS： The protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in HDPF was detected by immunocytochemistry. The mRNA expression of NLRP3, Caspase -1, P2X7 and IL-1β was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and quantitative Real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS： NLRP3 and Caspase-1 proteins were observed in HDPFs. The expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 , P2X7 and IL-1β mRNA were significanty up-regulated by ATP and Streptococcus mutans co-stimulation（P 〈 0.05 ）. However , single stimulation with ATP or Streptococcus mutans could not produce a significant effect on the relevant gene expression （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The inflammasome pathway of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 is present in HDPFs and it can be activated by co-stimulation of ATP and Streptococcus mutans.