Abstract
Reconstruction of the periodontal ligament (PDL) to fulfill functional requirement remains a challenge. This study sought to develop a biomimetic microfibrous system capable of withstanding the functional load to assist PDL regeneration. Collagen-based straight and waveform microfibers to guide PDL cell growth were prepared using an extrusion-based bioprinter, and a laminar flow-based bioreactor was used to generate fluidic shear stress. PDL cells were seeded on the respective microfibers with 0 or 6 dynes/cm2 fluidic shear stress for 1–4 h. The viability, morphology, adhesion pattern, and gene expression levels of PDL cells were assessed. The results revealed that upon bioprinting optimization, collagen-based microfibers were successfully fabricated. The straight microfibers were 189.9 ± 11.44 μm wide and the waveform microfibers were 235.9 ± 11.22 μm wide. Under 6 dynes/cm2 shear stress, PDL cells were successfully seeded, and cytoskeleton expansion, adhesion, and viability were greater. Cyclin D, E-cadherin, and periostin were upregulated on the waveform microfibers. In conclusion, 3D-printed collagen-based waveform microfibers preserved PDL cell viability and exhibited an enhanced tendency to promote healing and regeneration under shear stress. This approach is promising for the development of a guiding scaffold for PDL regeneration.
Highlights
The periodontal ligament (PDL), a highly organized connective tissue structure situated between the alveolar bone and the teeth, plays important roles in transferring and dissipating loads from the occlusion [1]
The printing condition optimized for this study was 250 KPa printing pressure, 34 G nozzle, and 2 mm/s printing speed, and the resultant printed line width was 189.9 ± 11.44 μm for the straight microfibers and 235.9 ± 11.22 μm for the waveform microfibers (Figure 3D)
Shear stress had been considered the best approximation of biomechanical stress for studying PDL tissue engineering under physiological load [26]
Summary
The periodontal ligament (PDL), a highly organized connective tissue structure situated between the alveolar bone and the teeth, plays important roles in transferring and dissipating loads from the occlusion [1]. Periodontitis, a highly prevalent inflammation-induced destructive disease affecting up to 40–60% of people worldwide, frequently results in the damage or loss of PDL and leads to tooth hypermobility, reduction of the supporting bone, and even tooth loss [2]. The mechanical properties of PDL are largely determined by the orientation of collagen fiber bundles and the distribution of interstitial fluid [3]. The collagen fibers are generally aligned according to a periodic crimped pattern [5]. When the ligament is stretched, the crimped fibers are straightened to bear the load and prevent overextension of the ligament [6,7]. Reconstructed PDL with an oriented fibrous microstructure similar to native PDL should be integral in the oral rehabilitation plan
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