Novel Scaffold Based on Chitosan Hydrogels/Phthalated Cashew Gum for Supporting Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Abstract

Hydrogels are structures that have value for application in the area of tissue engineering because they mimic the extracellular matrix. Naturally obtained polysaccharides, such as chitosan (CH) and cashew gum, are materials with the ability to form polymeric networks due to their physicochemical properties. This research aimed to develop a scaffold based on chitosan and phthalated cashew tree gum and test it as a support for the growth of human mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, phthalation in cashew gum (PCG) was performed by using a solvent-free route. PCG-CH scaffold was developed by polyelectrolyte complexation, and its ability to support adherent stem cell growth was evaluated. The scaffold showed a high swelling rate. The pore sizes of the scaffold were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were isolated, expanded, and characterized for their potential to differentiate into mesenchymal lineages and for their immunophenotypic profile. Isolated mesenchymal stem cells presented fibroblastoid morphology, plastic adhesion capacity, and differentiation in osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in scaffolds to assess cell adhesion and growth. The cells seeded on the scaffold showed typical morphology, attachment, and adequate distribution inside the matrix pores. Thus, cells seeded in the scaffold may improve the osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties of these biomaterials.

In Vivo Evaluation of Collagen and Chitosan Scaffold, Associated or Not with Stem Cells, in Bone Repair

“…These cells can be obtained from postnatal teeth, extracted wisdom teeth, or exfoliated deciduous teeth [39,40]. Depending on their multipotency and sensitivity to local paracrine activity, DPSCs could be used for therapeutic applications in tissue regeneration [41,42], in addition to other advantages such as immunomodulatory properties, good proliferation capacity and osteogenic differentiation [37,43,44]. Furthermore, there is an abundant source of these cells as they are obtained from discarded or removed teeth [45].…”

Advanced Biomedical Applications of Multifunctional Natural and Synthetic Biomaterials

“…Because chitosan is water-soluble and easily forms ionic and hydrogen bonds with drug structures, it can be widely used in drug delivery systems, cancer therapy, wound healing and tissue engineering [76]. To maximize the therapeutic potential and bioavailability of drugs in a controlled and continuous manner [77], various micro-and nanoparticles have been developed as their active carriers [78,79], hydrogels [80][81][82][83] scaffolds [84][85][86][87] and organic or inorganic matrices based on chitosan or chitin [88].…”

Chitosan Hydrogels for Water Purification Applications

“…Schematic representation of chitosan-based hydrogels in various industries. dressings for infected wound treatment [194][195][196][197][198] wound dressing -biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles incorporated into a chitosan hydrogel matrix functionalized with propolis extract [197,199] drug delivery -temperature-dependent thermoreversible supramolecular hydrogel for applications in the field of gastrointestinal drug release (photo-crosslinkable glycol chitosan thermogel, graphene oxide reinforced chitosan hydrogel) [197,[200][201][202][203] lens system for eyes release of various ophthalmic drugs (4-arm polyethylene glycol with aldehyde end groups (4-arm PEG-CHO) with glycol chitosan (GC)) [197,204] bones and tissues engineering -injectable delivery system and 3D cell culture to fill the irregular shaped gaps and defects of internal tissues without any surgery (chitosan/laponite hydrogel) -sequential delivery of the anti-inflammatory drug aspirin and osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) [205,206] cartilage repair hydrogels for in vivo cartilage regeneration (chitosan-hyaluronic acid hydrogel) [207][208][209][210] neural tissue injectable thermoresponsive hydrogels for neural tissue engineering (chitosan/β-glycerophosphate hydrogels) [211,212] engineering 3D materials for tissue engineering applications [213]…”