Influence of resveratrol on oral-derived stem cells stimulated by Angiotensin II

• Grant number: 25/10192-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2026
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: João Eduardo Gomes Filho
• Grantee: Romulo de Oliveira Sales Junior
• Supervisor: Marco Cicero Bottino
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Michigan, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/06381-0 - Local and systemic influence of resveratrol in hypertensive rats with apical periodontitis, BP.DR

Abstract

Hypertension is an inflammatory condition that promotes tissue remodeling and cellular dysfunction. It is strongly mediated by the activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main effector of the RAS, acts predominantly through AT1 receptor (AT1R), inducing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) possess high regenerative potential; however, little is known about their response to a hypertensive and inflammatory microenvironment. Resveratrol (RES) is known to modulate inflammation in several conditions. This project aims to investigate how Ang II triggers inflammation in SCAPs and DPSCs, and whether RES can counteract this response. Initially, a cell viability test will be performed to determine the optimal concentrations of ANG II and RES for 24, 48, and 72h. Then, previously characterized SCAPs and DPSCs will be cultured and divided into four experimental groups: Control, ANG II, RES, and RES+ANG II. Inflammatory induction will be performed with ANG II for 24h, followed by treatment with RES for 24h. The gene expression of RAS components (AGT, ACE, ACE2, RENIN, AT1, AT2, and MAS) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-¿, IL-1¿, and IL-10) will be evaluated using RT-qPCR. The protein secretion of inflammatory cytokines will be quantified using ELISA. Data will be analyzed with appropriate statistical tests, with a significance level of 5%. The results are expected to contribute to the understanding of the inflammatory response of oral-derived stem cells under hypertensive conditions and to validate resveratrol as a modulating agent, with potential translational applications in regenerative dentistry for patients with systemic comorbidities. (AU)