The effect of resolvin D1n-3 DPA on primary oral epithelial cell migration in vitro

Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) are known for their anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions. The aim of the present study was to find new functions of the SPM resolvin D1_{n-3 DPA} (RvD1_{n-3 DPA}) on oral epithelial cells. As a starting point, we used a dataset obtained by RNA high-throughput sequencing of oral epithelial cells exposed to TNF-α and RvD1_{n-3 DPA} versus TNF-α alone. GOrilla enrichment analysis showed that the actin cytoskeleton was significantly overrepresented after adjustment for multiple hypothesis testing. As actin, amongst others, is closely related to cell migration, we then explored whether RvD1_{n-3 DPA} can modulate oral epithelial cell migration. To this end, we used an in vitro cell migration model, including TNF-α treatment, to mimic an inflammatory cell state. The analysis revealed that RvD1_{n-3 DPA} increased oral epithelial cell migration in the presence but not in the absence of TNF-α. Addition of RvD1_{n-3 DPA} also induced F actin accumulation around the cell nucleus, indicating that RvD1_{n-3 DPA} potentially can mediate processes of intracellular transport. This indicates that this lipid mediator may be a promising therapeutic candidate in oral mucosal wound healing.