Chitlac-coated Thermosets Enhance Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis in a Co-culture of Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Endothelial Cells.

Rapino Rapino,Cataldi Cataldi,Zara Zara,Marsich Marsich,Marconi Marconi,Ghinassi Ghinassi,Sancilio Sancilio,Di Giacomo Di Giacomo,Gallorini Gallorini,Di Valerio Di Valerio

doi:10.3390/nano9070928

Abstract

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) represent a population of stem cells which could be useful in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. They are part of the periendothelial niche, where their crosstalk with endothelial cells is crucial in the cellular response to biomaterials used for dental restorations. DPSCs and the endothelial cell line EA.hy926 were co-cultured in the presence of Chitlac-coated thermosets in culture conditions inducing, in turn, osteogenic or angiogenic differentiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by 3‒[4,5‒dimethyl‒thiazol‒2‒yl‒]‒2,5‒diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. DPSC differentiation was assessed by measuring Alkaline Phosphtase (ALP) activity and Alizarin Red S staining, while the formation of new vessels was monitored by optical microscopy. The IL-6 and PGE2 production was evaluated as well. When cultured together, the proliferation is increased, as is the DPSC osteogenic differentiation and EA.hy926 vessel formation. The presence of thermosets appears either not to disturb the system balance or even to improve the osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation. Chitlac-coated thermosets confirm their biocompatibility in the present co-culture model, being capable of improving the differentiation of both cell types. Furthermore, the assessed co-culture appears to be a useful tool to investigate cell response toward newly synthesized or commercially available biomaterials, as well as to evaluate their engraftment potential in restorative dentistry.

Highlights

Dental composite resins are types of synthetic resins used in dentistry as restorative materials or adhesives
Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and the endothelial cell line EA.hy926 were co-cultured in the presence of Chitlac-coated thermosets in culture conditions inducing, in turn, osteogenic or angiogenic differentiation
DPSC differentiation was assessed by measuring Alkaline Phosphtase (ALP) activity and Alizarin Red S staining, while the formation of new vessels was monitored by optical microscopy

Summary

Introduction

Dental composite resins are types of synthetic resins used in dentistry as restorative materials or adhesives. Thermosets composed of Bisphenol A glycidylmethacrylate (BisGMA) and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) are receiving increasing attention as biomaterials for both dental and orthopedic applications. Extensive research has been performed to improve implant integration, which is influenced by the ability of biomaterials to establish proper interactions between their surface and the eukaryotic cells of the surrounding tissue [1]. There is growing attention to the development of novel chemical processes enabling the introduction of bioactive molecules on the surface of these methacrylate-based thermosets. The coating converts the BisGMA/TEGDMA surface into a “bioactive” biomaterial, able to induce specific biological responses by engaging interactions with the surrounding living tissue at the molecular level [3]

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