Role of endotoxin in the etiology of periapical lesions: molecular mechanisms involved in endotoxin’s recognition and cell activation

Periapical lesions are diseases resulting from contamination and necrosis of dental pulp and the progression of this infection toward the periapical tissues. Technological advances in microbiological culture and identification have shown that anaerobic microorganisms, especially Gram-negative, are predominate in root canals of teeth with pulp necrosis and chronic periapical lesions. Gram-negative bacteria not only have different factors of virulence and generate products and sub-products that are toxic to apical and periapical tissues, but also contain endotoxin in the outer membrane of their cell wall. This information is important because endotoxin is released during multiplication or bacterial death, causing a series of biological effects that lead to an inflammatory reaction and resorption of mineralized tissues. Thus, the aim of this work is to carry out a review of the literature on the role of bacterial endotoxin in the etiology of periapical lesions, its mechanism of action, and to elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in endotoxin’s recognition by the immune system and cell activation. Indexing terms: Anaerobic bacteria. Endotoxins. Periapical tissue.