Differential Effect of Scaffold Shape on Dentin Regeneration

Abstract

The effect of scaffold shape on dentin regeneration is not well understood. In this study, porous hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate (HAp/beta-TCP), powdered HAp/beta-TCP, and polyglycolic acid (PGA) fiber mesh were used as scaffolds and transplanted with cultured porcine dental pulp-derived cells into the backs of nude mice. Samples were harvested after 6 weeks. Newly-formed hard tissue was observed in all transplants. When porous HAp/beta-TCP was used, dentin-like hard tissue was observed on the inner wall with minimum cell inclusions and odontoblast-like cells were aligned adjacent to the hard tissue. When HAp/beta-TCP powders or PGA were used, bone-like hard tissues showed cell inclusions and cell alignment was not observed. Hard tissue from the HAp/beta-TCP block group was positive for type I collagen, osteonectin, bone sialoprotein and dentin sialoprotein (DSP), which are markers for dentin. This result was confirmed by in situ hybridization with a dsp probe. Only the aligned cells were positive with an antisense probe. On the other hand, hard tissue from other scaffolds showed incomplete expression of both bone and dentin markers and they were negative for osteonectin and DSP. These results suggest that scaffold shape affects the type of tissue regenerated by dental pulp-derived cells.

Effect of Tricalcium Silicate on the Proliferation and Odontogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Cells

“…Odontoblasts are very important cells to form dentin (21). Exposure of pulp tissues might cause the death of local odontoblasts resulting from physical and/or pathologic stimulus.…”

Biomaterials in Tooth Tissue Engineering: A Review

“…PGA has been found to be a more conducive scaffold for dental pulp cell proliferation than hydrogel and alginate [33]. The shape of scaffold matrix: porous, powdered or fiber mesh has also shown to have an effect on the type of tissue generated [34]. PLGA hydrogels combined with PEG or recombinant human growth/ differentiation factor [35].…”

Stem Cell and Biomaterials Research in Dental Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

“…Newly-formed hard tissues were observed in all implants but the dentin-like structure with expression of dentin sialoprotein (DSP), collagen type I, osteonectin, and bone sialoprotein (BSP) was only seen in the PGA-cell implants with porous HA/beta-tricalcium phosphate. 202 …”