Abstract
Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory reaction of the periradicular tissues as a consequence of multispecies microbial communities organized as biofilms within the root canal system. Periradicular tissue changes at the molecular level initiate and orchestrate the inflammatory process and precede the presentation of clinical symptoms. Inflammatory mediators have been studied at either the proteomic, metabolomic, or transcriptomic levels. Analysis at the protein level is the most common approach used to identify and quantify analytes from diseased periradicular tissues during root canal treatment, since it is more representative of definitive and active periradicular inflammatory mediator than its transcript expression level. In disease, proteins expressed in an altered manner could be utilized as biomarkers. Biomarker proteins in periradicular tissues have been qualitatively and quantitatively assessed using antibodies (immunoassays and immunostaining) or mass spectrometry-based approaches. Herein, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of biomarker proteins identified in clinical studies investigating periradicular lesions and pulp tissue associated with apical periodontitis using proteomics. The high throughput mass spectrometry-based proteomics has the potential to improve the current methods of monitoring inflammation while distinguishing between progressive, stable, and healing lesions for the identification of new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This method would provide more objective tools to (a) discover biomarkers related to biological processes for better clinical case selection, and (b) determine tissue response to novel therapeutic interventions for more predictable outcomes in endodontic treatment.
Introduction
Apical periodontitis is an inflammation occurring as a consequence of endodontic infections caused by multispecies microbial communities organized as biofilms within the root canal system (). Once inflammation is initiated, molecular changes orchestrate the inflammatory process and precede the presentation of clinical symptoms. From a clinical perspective, the ability to distinguish between a progressive lesion and a stable lesion that is undergoing regression and healing is critical to determine the appropriate treatment approach (). Increased pathogenicity of the intracanal microbiota and complex host response results in increased inflammatory and oxidative damage (, ). Several studies have reported changes in the expression of proteins, metalloproteinases, and inflammatory cytokines related to endodontic clinical symptoms (–). The degree of periradicular bone destruction has been linked to the concentrations of inflammatory mediators present within periradicular lesions (). Thus, studying the levels of inflammatory mediators and protein expression profiles within periradicular lesions would shed new light on the disease process.
A biomarker is defined as a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention (). Evaluation of the biomarkers associated with apical periodontitis is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and development of therapeutic strategies (). The inflammatory profile of periradicular lesions is highly dynamic with various inflammatory cells, their mediators, and effector molecules being involved in the disease process (). Hence, defining a single or few biomarkers for apical periodontitis is a challenging task due to the complex interplay of several parameters which affect the state and progression of the disease.
Periradicular inflammatory markers have been studied at either the proteomic, metabolomic, or transcriptomic level (). Transcriptomic-based assay techniques utilize transcribed mRNA sequences as biomarkers whereas proteomics identifies the actual secreted protein/metabolite (). A strong correlation is anticipated when mRNA is translated into its respective protein, and consequently, both can be used to quantify the presence of a specific mediator. However, in human cells, a weak correlation between concentrations of protein and its respective mRNA expression has been observed (), which could be attributed to various post-transcriptional modifications or translational mechanisms. During highly dynamic phases of cell activity, such as cellular differentiation or cellular stress response to specific microenvironmental stimuli, post-transcriptional processes may lead to higher deviations from an ideal correlation (). In this case, proteomic analysis which involves studying the whole set of proteins expressed by cell/tissue/organism in a particular environment during a specific stage of the cell cycle would provide a better idea of the actually produced proteins.
Studying molecular biomarkers at the protein level is crucial since proteins are the direct biofunctional effector molecules in living organisms (). Proteins biosynthesis is critical for cell and tissue signaling, development, homeostasis as well as structural stability (). In dentistry, proteomics-based methods have been used to study various oral tissues/samples such as saliva (–), acquired pellicle (), gingival crevicular fluid (), dentin (, ), pulp tissue (), and dental stem cells (, ). Currently, proteomic analysis of the tissues represents a powerful and unbiased approach to identify important differentially expressed proteins within diseased tissue in comparison to their normal counterparts (). Proteins could also serve as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets, for example, antioxidant enzymes and heat shock protein 27 (, ). Therefore, researchers have conducted proteomics-based studies to investigate oral diseases including caries (), gingivitis (), periodontitis (), pulp and periradicular diseases (), as well as oral cancer ().
Proteomics has been applied in endodontics to identify the bacterial proteins associated with apical periodontitis, for a better understanding of the pathogenicity and virulence factors of bacterial community (–). In addition to the analysis of bacterial proteins, studying proteomics provide relevant data on the host's response in specific clinical conditions, allowing a broad insight into the host response in homeostasis and in apical periodontitis, through qualitative and quantitative analysis of protein expression (). Within this context, herein we focus on reviewing endodontic literature investigating human protein expression in different pathological conditions and healing of periradicular tissue using proteomics-based approach, and how these tools can improve knowledge in the diagnosis, intervention, and prognosis of endodontic treatment.
Protein Detection Approaches
Biomarkers for different pathological states and healing have been investigated at the protein level using antibody-based assays and antibody-free protein detection using mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques (or proteomics) (Figure 1) (, , , –). Specific techniques and protocols using antibodies for the detection of particular proteins, or their modified forms, have been applied to assess various inflammatory mediators in periradicular lesions (, ). The antibody-based techniques, such as western blot, immunohistochemistry assay, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), are very sensitive; however, they have limitations such as cross-reactivity, long development time, and high variability (). MS-based proteomics has rapidly become the analytical method of choice for the identification and characterization of proteins. Quantification of proteins in MS-based proteomics can be carried out using label-based or label-free strategies (). Label-based quantitation methods utilize stable-isotope labels which are incorporated within the peptides, introducing a known mass difference within the experimental conditions. In contrast, label-free proteomics quantitates both relative and absolute protein quantity by directly utilizing a peptide's intensity or inferring quantity indirectly from spectral counting of peptides (). MS-based antibody-free protein detection methods offer multiple advantages such as the ability to determine the sequence of a protein or peptide, providing higher throughput than antibody-based assays, accurate quantification, high level of specificity, ability to discriminate between isoforms while avoiding interference caused by cross-reactivity of antibodies, while identifying and quantifying proteins for which no antibody exists (–).
Figure 1
Technological advances in MS-based proteomics have enabled the large-scale detection and quantitation of proteins, including measurement of properties such as their abundance, isoform expression, turnover rate, subcellular localization, post-translational modifications, and interactions (). Protein expression profiling is defined as identifying the proteins expressed in a particular tissue, under specific conditions and at a particular time, typically compared to protein expression in reference samples (). Analysis of differentially expressed proteins allows a better understanding of the overall physiologic profile of biological systems (cells and tissues) under a given condition (). Different proteomics-based strategies are summarized in Figure 2. The bottom-up approach involves proteolysis of proteins into short peptides (8–30 amino acids) using a proteolytic enzyme (mostly trypsin due to its efficiency and specificity of cleavage), and MS/MS fragmentation to determine the peptide sequences (). In top-down technique, the intact protein is introduced into the mass spectrometer to measure its intact and fragment ions masses (). This approach enables 100% sequence coverage and full characterization of proteoforms, the specific molecular form of the protein resulting from combinations of genetic variation, alternative splicing, and post-translational modifications ().
Figure 2
Several techniques have been applied to extract and separate proteins including the 2 commonly used methods, 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and liquid chromatography (LC) (
Proteomic Profile of Periradicular Lesions
Proteomic analysis of tissues involved in apical periodontitis represents a powerful strategy to detect differentially expressed proteins with significant role in the biological pathways involved in lesion progression or resolution. Clinical studies in endodontic literature investigating the proteomic profile of pulp and/or periradicular lesions in different conditions, using MS (
Figure 3

Schematic representing different proteins expression and interactions in apical periodontitis. DAMPs, danger associated molecular patterns; DC, dendritic cell; Mφ, macrophage; NET, neutrophil extracellular traps; OC, osteoclast; PAMPs, pathogen associated molecular patterns; SERPINB1, Serpin Family B Member 1. Schematic created with BioRender.com.
Immune-related proteins have been consistently detected in apical periodontitis. A study conducted by Alfenas et al. analyzed the exoproteome, a set of extracellular proteins including those that are secreted via specific pathways. In this investigation fluids (pus) sampled from acute periapical abscesses were analyzed for host proteins (
Other immunity-related proteins including protease inhibitors have been identified in both asymptomatic apical periodontitis and abscess samples (
Alarmins are multifunctional immune-activating protein/peptides that act as danger signals and together with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), are considered damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (
Heat shock proteins (HSPs), also referred to as molecular chaperones, are known to play a protective role for cells under stress conditions, including infection and inflammation (
Defensins are low-molecular-weight cysteine-rich cation proteins with antimicrobial activity. They are primarily involved in innate immunity against pathogens and have been identified in pus sampled from periapical abscesses (
Circulatory proteins, such as hemoglobin and albumin, as well as components of the complement system, were abundant in samples collected from abscesses, as anticipated since blood components were involved in purulent exudates (
Cytoskeleton proteins have been shown to be downregulated in apical periodontitis, which might reflect the tissue destruction resulting from the chronic inflammatory process. Actin, a protein involved in the cytoskeleton structure, participates in the generation of forces and cell adhesion, stabilizes the cell, and determines the shape of the plasma membrane, cell migration, and membrane trafficking (
Proteins involved in the adaptive immune response were detected in abscess and post-treatment apical periodontitis such as immunoglobulins and proteins related to T-cell and B-cell activation (
Comparing symptomatic to asymptomatic apical periodontitis, proteins related to bone remodeling activity were exclusive to the symptomatic cases, including carbonic anhydrase 2, carbonic anhydrase 12, and protein-tyrosine kinase 2-beta. On the other hand, carbonic anhydrase 1, demonstrated higher expression in symptomatic apical periodontitis (
Proteomic Profile of Pulp Tissue Associated With Periradicular Lesions
Dental pulp is a highly vascularized and richly innervated connective tissue. It has relatively low compliance since it is enclosed in hard dentin tissue (100). Exposure of pulp tissue to non-microbial (traumatic, mechanical, or chemical) or microbial insults, triggers an inflammatory process that varies according to the stimulant type and intensity. As pulp disease progresses, innate effector cells and cells of adaptive immune response alter the physiology of the dental pulp attempting to remove the invading agents. The immune cells recruited within the pulp contribute to the release of soluble molecules or mediators aiming to control bacterial infection. However, they can cause significant collateral host tissue damage. When irritation persists, pulp inflammation will progress leading eventually to pulp necrosis. In the process, bacterial colonization of the root canal system and subsequent neuro-vascular and immunological response would trigger the development of periradicular pathosis (101, 102).
Degradative enzymes, such as matrixins or MMPs necessary for the immune cell migration through the tissue matrix, cause degradative damage and the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) utilized by immune cells for antimicrobial action (103). ROS, including superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, can subsequently induce cytokine release by activating the key inflammatory intracellular signaling pathways regulated by the p38 MAPK and NF-κB proteins in several immune and tissue structural cell types (104). ROS could cause major metabolic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes and greatly challenge the cellular control over a healthy proteome (i.e., proteastasis) (105).
A quantitative approach has been recently applied to describe the proteomic changes in the progression of pulp pathogenesis. This approach allows a more accurate interpretation of the host inflammatory response by comparing the protein expression of normal, inflamed, and necrotic pulp tissues (
Figure 4

Schematic representing different proteins expression and interactions in inflamed pulp and necrotic pulp associated with apical periodontitis (AP). Schematic created with BioRender.com.
Necrotic pulp associated with chronic apical periodontitis have demonstrated high level of immunity-related proteins, such as immunoglobulins and protease inhibitors, involved in antigen presentation, defense cell activation, and stress response (
Comparing necrotic and inflamed pulp tissues revealed that larger number of proteins related to stress response were identified in necrotic pulp indicating an ongoing host response to fight invading microbes (109, 110). Stress-related proteins could be due to cell death, besides regulation of proliferation and autophagy (111). However, proteins related to DNA replication and synthesis (histone, pyruvate kinase), extracellular matrix organization (collagen α), cytoskeleton organization (actin cytoplasmic, cofilin, profilin, tubulin-α), cell death regulation (14-3-3 3 protein ζΔ), and sensory innervation (β-enolase) were detected in reduced abundance compared to inflamed pulp (
Challenges of Proteomics-Based Studies in Pulp and Periradicular Diseases
High-throughput proteomic methods are powerful screening tools that provide opportunity to understand the protein function and interaction networks (113). In spite of their advantages, it is important to consider some of the technical challenges associated with sampling, processing, and analysis of proteomics data in pulp as well as periradicular tissues. Human clinical samples that could be obtained from a small environment like the root canal or the periapical exudate may not provide sufficient biomass for processing in proteomics assays. Thus, in multiple proteomics-based studies, root canal samples had to be pooled to be properly analyzed (
Analysis of the exoproteome also presents some limitations. For instance, in the study conducted by Alfenas et al. several cytoplasmic proteins were detected, although its objective was to evaluate the exoproteome (
Inferences about host responses should be interpreted with caution (
Numerous important proteins have been identified through proteomic analyses of periradicular tissues, nevertheless, the diversity of proteins involved in periradicular abscesses may still have been underestimated and further studies are required for validation. Applying rigid filters, such as the 1% false discovery rate, and filtering of data generated from Proteome Discoverer may have contributed to a limited but more reliable protein identification (119, 120). Quantitative assessment of identified proteins was only carried out in 2 studies (
Conclusions and Future Perspectives
Identification of biomarkers in host reaction to invading pathogens and subsequent tissue injury is an asset to comprehend the pathogenesis of periradicular diseases. Proteomic-based techniques provide relevant data on host tissue response in various pathological conditions, allowing a broad view of the host's physiology, and the involved biological processes through qualitative and quantitative protein expression profiles. Recently, more studies have been conducted to evaluate the host proteins expressed in response to endodontic infection to identify the biological networks and signaling pathways involved in disease resolution or progression. The cell-specific proteins detected in samples obtained from different pulp and periradicular lesions evidenced the range of cells that take part in the response to endodontic infection in which components of both innate and adaptive immune responses function together. Proteins associated with tissue destruction coexist with those maintaining homeostasis, as mechanisms of protection in apical periodontitis.
Qualitative analysis using bottom-up approach represents the most frequent analytical proteomic technique in endodontic studies (
Comprehensive knowledge of protein biomarkers and expression profiles in different endodontic conditions would allow clinicians to inform prognosis and provide treatment with more predictable outcomes. It could also provide researchers with more objective tools to investigate the biological processes involved in periradicular disease and their response to novel therapeutic interventions, which has the potential to help in developing therapeutics targeting certain cells/mediators customized to the patient's lesion condition. Specific protein expression profiles of different sampling sites should be taken into consideration while designing diagnostic tools based on proteomic markers. Establishing predictor markers to monitor patient response to treatment would be another interesting venue for further investigations.
Funding
This work was supported in part by a research grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: Discovery Grant—AK (RGPIN-2020-05844) and the University of Toronto.
Publisher's Note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Statements
Author contributions
HH contributed to conception, design, literature search, drafted, and critically reviewed the manuscript. AK contributed to conception, design, and interpretation and critically revised the manuscript. Both authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Supplementary material
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdmed.2022.814603/full#supplementary-material
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Summary
Keywords
apical periodontitis, inflammatory mediators, biomarkers, proteomics, mass spectrometry
Citation
Hussein H and Kishen A (2022) Application of Proteomics in Apical Periodontitis. Front. Dent. Med. 3:814603. doi: 10.3389/fdmed.2022.814603
Received
13 November 2021
Accepted
20 January 2022
Published
10 February 2022
Volume
3 - 2022
Edited by
Frederico C. Martinho, University of Maryland, United States
Reviewed by
Rogerio Jacinto, São Paulo State University, Brazil; Oleh Andrukhov, University Dental Clinic Vienna, Austria
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© 2022 Hussein and Kishen.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Anil Kishen anil.kishen@dentistry.utoronto.ca
This article was submitted to Endodontics, a section of the journal Frontiers in Dental Medicine
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