Simvastatin-Enriched Macro-Porous Chitosan-Calcium-Aluminate Scaffold for Mineralized Tissue Regeneration.

Fernanda Balestrero Cassiano,Ester Alves Ferreira Bordini,Diana Gabriela Soares,Josimeri Hebling,Giovana Anovazzi,Carlos Alberto De Souza Costa

doi:10.1590/0103-6440202003252

Fernanda Balestrero Cassiano, Ester Alves Ferreira Bordini + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6440202003252

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Abstract

The present study evaluated the odontogenic potential of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) exposed to chitosan scaffolds containing calcium aluminate (CHAlCa) associated or not with low doses of simvastatin (SV). Chitosan scaffolds received a suspension of calcium aluminate (AlCa) and were then immersed into solutions containing SV. The following groups were established: chitosan-calcium-aluminate scaffolds (CHAlCa - Control), chitosan calcium-aluminate with 0.5 µM SV (CHAlCa-SV0.5), and chitosan calcium-aluminate with 1.0 µM SV (CHAlCa-SV1.0). The morphology and composition of the scaffolds were evaluated by SEM and EDS, respectively. After 14 days of HDPCs culture on scaffolds, cell viability, adhesion and spread, mineralized matrix deposition as well as gene expression of odontogenic markers were assessed. Calcium aluminate particles were incorporated into the chitosan matrix, which exhibited regular pores homogeneously distributed throughout its structure. The selected SV dosages were biocompatible with HDPCs. Chitosan-calcium-aluminate scaffolds with 1 µM SV induced the odontoblastic phenotype in the HDPCs, which showed enhanced mineralized matrix deposition and up-regulated ALP, Col1A1, and DMP-1 expression. Therefore, one can conclude that the incorporation of calcium aluminate and simvastatin in chitosan scaffolds had a synergistic effect on HDPCs, favoring odontogenic cell differentiation and mineralized matrix deposition.

Highlights

Odontoblasts are specialized cells of the dental pulp that line the inner surface of the dentin
To overcome the limitations related to current pulp capping materials, tissue engineering has become a promising strategy for pulp-dentin complex regeneration
The CHAlCa group presented well distributed and organized macro-pore architecture throughout its structure (Fig. 1A,B) with embedded aluminum (Al) and calcium (Ca) microparticles identified by the EDS probe (Fig. 1C,D)

Summary

Introduction

Odontoblasts are specialized cells of the dental pulp that line the inner surface of the dentin. Chitosan scaffolds have a polymeric chain consisting of free amine and hydroxyl groups that allows the chitosan molecule to be positively charged, making it more reactive towards other negatively charged molecules, such as collagen and proteoglycans (5,6). This low-cost polymer has excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity, presenting great potential to mediate tissue healing in therapies employed to maintain pulp vitality (4,7)

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