Delivery of affordable and scalable encapsulated allogenic/autologous mesenchymal stem cells in coagulated platelet poor plasma for dental pulp regeneration

The main goal of regenerative endodontics procedures (REPs) is to revitalize teeth by the regeneration of healthy dental pulp. In this study, we evaluated the potential of combining a natural and accessible biomaterial based on Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) as a support for dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC). A comparison study between the two cell sources revealed compatibility with the PPP based scaffold with differences noted in the proliferation and angiogenic properties in vitro. Additionally, the release of growth factors including VEGF, HGF and DMP-1, was detected in the media of cultured PPP and was enhanced by the presence of the encapsulated MSCs. Dentin-Discs from human molars were filled with PPP alone or with MSCs and implanted subcutaneously for 4 weeks in mice. Histological analysis of the MSC-PPP implants revealed a newly formed dentin-like structure evidenced by the expression of Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). Finally, DPSC induced more vessel formation around the dental discs. This study provides evidence of a cost-effective, xenofree scaffold that is compatible with either autologous or allogenic strategy for dental pulp regeneration. This attempt if successfully implemented, could make REPs treatment widely accessible, contributing in improving global health conditions.

Future of Decellularized Dental Pulp Matrix in Regenerative Endodontics

With the advancements in tissue engineering, the repair and regeneration of oral/dental tissue are becoming possible and productive. Due to periodontal diseases, the tooth loses bone support resulting in tooth loss, but bone grafting stabilizes with new bone. It is seen that due to the progression of dental caries, pulp damage happens, and the vitality of the tooth is compromised. The current theme of dental pulp regeneration through biological and synthetic scaffolds, is becoming a potential therapy for pulp revitalization.

Pulpotomy: Modern concepts and materials

Pulpotomy is one of the most common treatment modalities in pediatric dentistry where amputation of only coronal pulp is done. Radicular pulp remain untouched and treated with long term clinically successful medicaments such as formocresol, glutaraldehyde, ferric sulphate etc. The success of pulpotomy depends on assessment of the pulp and the technique. Due to the availability of newer material nowadays pulp regeneration can also be done.

Functionalized self-assembled peptide RAD/Dentonin hydrogel scaffold promotes dental pulp regeneration

RADA16-Ⅰ is an ion-complementary self-assembled peptide with a regular folded secondary conformation and can be assembled into an ordered nanostructure. Dentonin is an extracellular matrix phosphate glycoprotein functional peptide motif-containing RGD and SGDG motifs. In this experiment, we propose to combine RAD and Dentonin to form a functionalized self-assembled peptide RAD/Dentonin hydrogel scaffold. Furthermore, we expect that the RAD with the addition of functional motif Dentonin can promote pulp regeneration. The study analyzed the physicochemical properties of RAD/Dentonin through Circular dichroism, Morphology scanning, and Rheology. Besides, we examined the scaffold’s biocompatibility by Immunofluorescent staining, CCK-8 method, Live/Dead fluorescent staining, and 3D reconstruction. Finally, we applied ALP activity assay, RT-qPCR, and Alizarin red S staining to detect the effect of RAD/Dentonin on the odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). The results showed that RAD/Dentonin spontaneously assembles into a hydrogel with a β-sheet-based nanofiber network structure. In vitro, RAD/Dentonin has superior biocompatibility and enhances adhesive proliferation, migration, odontogenic differentiation, and mineralization deposition of hDPSCs. In conclusion, the novel self-assembled peptide RAD/Dentonin is a new scaffold material suitable for cell culture and has promising applications as a scaffold for endodontic tissue engineering.