Lipopolysaccharide‐induced DNA damage response activates nuclear factor κB signalling pathway via GATA4 in dental pulp cells

Abstract Aim To investigate the role of GATA‐binding protein 4 (GATA4) in the inflammatory response induced by DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) in human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Methodology Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used for stimulating inflammation in dental pulp tissue in vivo and hDPCs in vitro . Expression levels of GATA4 and γ‐H2A.X (a marker for DSBs) were detected at different stages of pulpitis in a rat model and human pulp tissues by immunohistochemistry. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to assess expression of GATA4 and γ‐H2A.X and the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) in hDPCs stimulated by LPS. The comet assay was used for detecting the extent of DSBs in hDPCs. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot were utilized to evaluate expression of γ‐H2A.X and GATA4 and activation of NF‐κB in hDPCs pre‐treated with inhibitors of DNA damage response or transfected with GATA4 small interfering RNA before the treatment of LPS. Data were analysed statistically using one‐way anova or Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results The expression of GATA4 and activation of DNA damage response and NF‐κB in inflamed pulp tissue and LPS‐treated hDPCs were identified. Significantly decreased expression of GATA4 and significantly decreased inflammatory processes in hDPCs were demonstrated via suppression of DNA damage response ( P < 0.05). In GATA4‐knockdown cells, the expression of γ‐H2A.X did not change, but nuclear translocation of p65 was significantly suppressed ( P < 0.05) upon induction by LPS. Conclusions Lipopolysaccharide‐induced DSBs activated the NF‐κB signalling pathway in hDPCs, and GATA4 acts as a positive moderator of the progress. The involvement of GATA4 in this pathology may serve as a therapeutic target in pulpitis.