Abstract

This study aimed to develop a porous chitosan-calcium-aluminate scaffold (CH-AlCa) in combination with a bioactive dosage of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25VD), to be used as a bioactive substrate capable to increase the odontogenic potential of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). The porous CH-AlCa was developed by the incorporation of an AlCa suspension into a CH solution under vigorous agitation, followed by phase separation at low temperature. Scaffold architecture, porosity, and calcium release were evaluated. Thereafter, the synergistic potential of CH-AlCa and 1nM 1α,25VD, selected by a dose-response assay, for HDPCs seeded onto the materials was assessed. The CH-AlCa featured an organized and interconnected pore network, with increased porosity in comparison with that of plain chitosan scaffolds (CH). Increased odontoblastic phenotype expression on the human dental pulp cell (HDPC)/CH and HDPC/CH-AlCa constructs in the presence of 1nM 1α,25VD was detected, since alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralized matrix deposition, dentin sialophosphoprotein/dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 mRNA expression, and cell migration were overstimulated. This drug featured a synergistic effect with CH-AlCa, since the highest values of cell migration and odontoblastic markers expression were observed in this experimental condition. The experimental CH-AlCa scaffold increases the chemotaxis and regenerative potential of HDPCs, and the addition of low-dosage 1α,25VD to this scaffold enhances the potential of these cells to express an odontoblastic phenotype. Chitosan scaffolds enriched with calcium-aluminate in association with low dosages of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 provide a highly bioactive microenvironment for dental pulp cells prone to dentin regeneration, thus providing potential as a cell-free tissue engineering system for direct pulp capping.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.