Electrospun Scaffolds in Periodontal Wound Healing

Abstract

Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth predominantly sustained by bacterial infections. The aim of the work was the design and the development of scaffolds based on biopolymers to be inserted in the periodontal pocket to restore tissue integrity and to treat bacterial infections. Nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by means of electrospinning. Gelatin was considered as base component and was associated to low and high molecular weight chitosans and alginate. The scaffolds were characterized by chemico–physical properties (morphology, solid state-FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)-surface zeta potential and contact angle), and mechanical properties. Moreover, preclinical properties (cytocompatibility, fibroblast and osteoblast adhesion and proliferation and antimicrobial properties) were assessed. All the scaffolds were based on cylindrical and smooth nanofibers and preserved their nanofibrous structure upon hydration independently of their composition. They possessed a high degree of hydrophilicity and negative zeta potentials in a physiological environment, suitable surface properties to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation and to inhibit bacteria attachment. The scaffold based on gelatin and low molecular weight chitosan proved to be effective in vitro to support both fibroblasts and osteoblasts adhesion and proliferation and to impair the proliferation of Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, both pathogens involved in periodontitis.

Regenerative Medicine Technologies to Treat Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Defects

“…Biomaterials with antimicrobial properties offer a significant advantage in the regeneration of periodontal structures affected by periodontal disease, in which oral-biofilm is a key component in the dysregulated inflammatory response. An electrospun gelatin and low molecular weight chitosan scaffold demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a facultative anaerobe commonly implicated in periodontal infections (Budai-Szűcs et al, 2021). Further, an ibuprofenfunctionalized, nanofibrous PCL scaffold improved CAL and reduced expression of inflammatory mediators COX-2 and IL-8 in seeded human oral epithelial cells and fibroblasts challenged by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide, a key pathogenic factor in periodontitis (Jain and Darveau, 2010).…”

Polymeric Biomaterials for the Treatment of Cardiac Post-Infarction Injuries

“…Electrospinning involves the application of a strong electric field (10–20 kV) on a polymer solution placed in a needle [ 57 ]. Under these conditions, the polymer solution is charged, and flows at a controlled rate to a collector put at a specific distance from the needle.…”

Natural Polymers for the Maintenance of Oral Health: Review of Recent Advances and Perspectives

“…On the other hand, such scaffolds could effectively reduce the proliferation of pathogens involved in periodontitis [ 73 , 74 ]. Another interesting observation was described by Chang et al, who proved that the addition of chitosan to antibiotics used for eradication of bacteria during the treatment of periodontitis not only strengthens the reaction against microbes but also prevents bone loss [ 75 ]. Due to high healing properties, hyaluronic acid is also used in topical administration as well as in coadjutant treatment for chronic and acute gingival and dental diseases.…”