Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human exfoliated deciduous teeth stem cells on modified chitosan scaffold

Chitosan nanoparticle applications in dentistry: a sustainable biopolymer

The epoch of Nano-biomaterials and their application in the field of medicine and dentistry has been long-lived. The application of nanotechnology is extensively used in diagnosis and treatment aspects of oral diseases. The nanomaterials and its structures are being widely involved in the production of medicines and drugs used for the treatment of oral diseases like periodontitis, oral carcinoma, etc. and helps in maintaining the longevity of oral health. Chitosan is a naturally occurring biopolymer derived from chitin which is seen commonly in arthropods. Chitosan nanoparticles are the latest in the trend of nanoparticles used in dentistry and are becoming the most wanted biopolymer for use toward therapeutic interventions. Literature search has also shown that chitosan nanoparticles have anti-tumor effects. This review highlights the various aspects of chitosan nanoparticles and their implications in dentistry.

Effects of aligned PLGA/SrCSH composite scaffolds on in vitro growth and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

Strontium (Sr) has important functions in bone remodeling. Incorporating strontium-doped α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (SrCSH) into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibrous scaffolds were expected to increase its bio-activity and provide a potential material for bone tissue engineering. In the present study, Sr-containing aligned PLGA/SrCSH fibrous scaffolds similar to the architecture of natural bone were prepared via wet spinning. CCK-8 assay revealed that Sr-containing scaffolds possessed better bioactivity and supported favorable cell growth effectively. The aligned PLGA/SrCSH fibers exerted a contact effect on cell attachment, inducing regular cell alignment and influencing a series of cell behaviors. Releasing of high concentration Sr from a-PLGA/SrCSH scaffolds could induce high expression levels of BMP-2, increase ALP activity and upregulate RUNX-2 expression, and further promote the expressions of COL-I and OCN and the maximum mineralization. This study demonstrated that Sr and ordered structure in a-PLGA/SrCSH fibrous scaffolds could synergistically enhance the osteogenic differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) by regulating cell arrangement and expressions of osteogenic genes.

Anti-Fibronectin Aptamer Modifies Blood Clot Pattern and Stimulates Osteogenesis: An Ex Vivo Study

BACKGROUND

Scaffold (SCA) functionalization with aptamers (APT) provides adsorption of specific bioactive molecules on biomaterial surfaces. The aim of this study was to observe if SCA enriched with anti-fibronectin APT can favor coagulum (PhC) and osteoblasts (OSB) differentiation.

METHODS

20 μg of APT was functionalized on SCA by simple adsorption. For PhC formation, SCAs were inserted into rat calvaria defects for 17 h. Following proper transportation (buffer solution PB), OSBs (UMR-106 lineage) were seeded over PhC + SCAs with and without APT. Cells and PhC morphology, PhC cell population, protein labeling and gene expression were observed in different time points.

RESULTS

The APT induced higher alkaline phosphatase and bone sialoprotein immunolabeling in OSB. Mesenchymal stem cells, leukocytes and lymphocytes cells were detected more in the APT group than when scaffolds were not functionalized. Additionally, an enriched and dense fibrin network and different cell types were observed, with more OSB and white blood cells in PhC formed on SCA with APT. The gene expression showed higher transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-b1) detection in SCA with APT.

CONCLUSIONS

The SCA functionalization with fibronectin aptamers may alter key morphological and functional features of blood clot formation, and provides a selective expression of proteins related to osteo differentiation. Additionally, aptamers increase TGF-b1 gene expression, which is highly associated with improvements in regenerative therapies.

Nanomaterials Modulating the Fate of Dental-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Involved in Oral Tissue Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

The critical challenges in repairing oral soft and hard tissue defects are infection control and the recovery of functions. Compared to conventional tissue regeneration methods, nano-bioactive materials have become the optimal materials with excellent physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. Dental-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) are a particular type of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with great potential in tissue regeneration and differentiation. This paper presents a review of the application of various nano-bioactive materials for the induction of differentiation of DMSCs in oral and maxillofacial restorations in recent years, outlining the characteristics of DMSCs, detailing the biological regulatory effects of various nano-materials on stem cells and summarizing the material-induced differentiation of DMSCs into multiple types of tissue-induced regeneration strategies. Nanomaterials are different and complementary to each other. These studies are helpful for the development of new nanoscientific research technology and the clinical transformation of tissue reconstruction technology and provide a theoretical basis for the application of nanomaterial-modified dental implants. We extensively searched for papers related to tissue engineering bioactive constructs based on MSCs and nanomaterials in the databases of PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as "mesenchymal stem cells", "nanotechnology", "biomaterials", "dentistry" and "tissue regeneration". From 2013 to 2023, we selected approximately 150 articles that align with our philosophy.

Development of a Novel Marine-Derived Tricomposite Biomaterial for Bone Regeneration

Bone tissue engineering is a promising treatment for bone loss that requires a combination of porous scaffold and osteogenic cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate and develop a tricomposite, biomimetic scaffold consisting of marine-derived biomaterials, namely, chitosan and fucoidan with hydroxyapatite (HA). The effects of chitosan, fucoidan and HA individually and in combination on the proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were investigated. According to the SEM results, the tricomposite scaffold had a uniform porous structure, which is a key requirement for cell migration, proliferation and vascularisation. The presence of HA and fucoidan in the chitosan tricomposite scaffold was confirmed using FTIR, which showed a slight decrease in porosity and an increase in the density of the tricomposite scaffold compared to other formulations. Fucoidan was found to inhibit cell proliferation at higher concentrations and at earlier time points when applied as a single treatment, but this effect was lost at later time points. Similar results were observed with HA alone. However, both HA and fucoidan increased MSC mineralisation as measured by calcium deposition. Differentiation was significantly enhanced in MSCs cultured on the tricomposite, with increased alkaline phosphatase activity on days 17 and 25. In conclusion, the tricomposite is biocompatible, promotes osteogenesis, and has the structural and compositional properties required of a scaffold for bone tissue engineering. This biomaterial could provide an effective treatment for small bone defects as an alternative to autografts or be the basis for cell attachment and differentiation in ex vivo bone tissue engineering.

General Characteristics, Biomedical and Dental Application, and Usage of Chitosan in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Narrative Review

The aim of this narrative review was to present research investigating chitosan, including its general characteristics, properties, and medical and dental applications, and finally to present the current state of knowledge regarding the efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) based on the literature. The PICO approach was used for the literature search strategy. The PubMed database was analyzed with the following keywords: (“chitosan”[MeSH Terms] OR “chitosan”[All Fields] OR “chitosans”[All Fields] OR “chitosan s”[All Fields] OR “chitosane”[All Fields]) AND (“temporomandibular joint”[MeSH Terms] OR (“tem-poromandibular”[All Fields] AND “joint”[All Fields]) OR “temporomandibular joint”[All Fields] OR (“temporomandibular”[All Fields] AND “joints”[All Fields]) OR “temporo-mandibular joints”[All Fields]). After screening 8 results, 5 studies were included in this review. Chitosan presents many biological properties and therefore it can be widely used in several branches of medicine and dentistry. Chitosan promotes wound healing, helps to control bleeding, and is used in wound dressings, such as sutures and artificial skin. Apart from its antibacterial property, chitosan has many other properties, such as antifungal, mucoadhesive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antitumoral properties. Further clinical studies assessing the efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of TMD are required. According to only one clinical study, chitosan was effective in the treatment of TMD; however, better clinical results were obtained with platelet-rich plasma.

In Vivo Evaluation of Decellularized Human Tooth Scaffold for Dental Tissue Regeneration

Conventional root canal treatment may result in loss of tooth vitality, which can lead to unfavorable treatment outcomes. Notably, a ceased tooth development of immature permanent teeth with open apices, regeneration of periodontal ligaments (PDL), and pulp is highly expected healing process. For regeneration, the scaffold is one of the critical components that carry biological benefits. Therefore, this study evaluated a decellularized human tooth as a scaffold for the PDL and pulp tissue regeneration. A tooth scaffold was fabricated using an effective decellularization method as reported in previous studies. PDL stem cells (PDLSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) obtained from human permanent teeth were inoculated onto decellularized scaffolds, then cultured to transplant into immunosuppressed mouse. After 9 weeks, PDLSCs and DPSCs that were inoculated onto decellularized tooth scaffolds and cultured in an in vivo demonstrated successful differentiation. In PDLSCs, a regeneration of the cementum/PDL complex could be expected. In DPSCs, the expression of genes related to revascularization and the hard tissue regeneration showed the possibility of pulp regeneration. This study suggested that the potential possible application of decellularized human tooth could be a scaffold in regeneration PDL and pulp tissue along with PDLSCs and DPSCs, respectively, as a novel treatment method.

Fluid Flow Mechanical Stimulation-Assisted Cartridge Device for the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into different types of mesodermal tissues. In vitro proliferation and differentiation of hMSCs are necessary for bone regeneration in tissue engineering. The present study aimed to design and develop a fluid flow mechanically-assisted cartridge device to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. We used the fluorescence-activated cell-sorting method to analyze the multipotent properties of hMSCs and found that the cultured cells retained their stemness potential. We also evaluated the cell viabilities of the cultured cells via water-soluble tetrazolium salt 1 (WST-1) assay under different rates of flow (0.035, 0.21, and 0.35 mL/min) and static conditions and found that the cell growth rate was approximately 12% higher in the 0.035 mL/min flow condition than the other conditions. Moreover, the cultured cells were healthy and adhered properly to the culture substrate. Enhanced mineralization and alkaline phosphatase activity were also observed under different perfusion conditions compared to the static conditions, indicating that the applied conditions play important roles in the proliferation and differentiation of hMSCs. Furthermore, we determined the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes, including the runt-related protein 2 (Runx2), collagen type I (Col1), osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN), under various perfusion vis-à-vis static conditions and found that they were significantly affected by the applied conditions. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensities of OCN and OPN osteogenic gene markers were found to be enhanced in the 0.035 mL/min flow condition compared to the control, indicating that it was a suitable condition for osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, the findings of this study reveal that the developed cartridge device promotes the proliferation and differentiation of hMSCs and can potentially be used in the field of tissue engineering.

A study of the differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth on 3D silk fibroin scaffolds using static and dynamic culture paradigms

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are considered the best current source of human stem cells due to their ability to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Dynamic co-culture systems can improve the culture environment, as they provide cells with signaling factors, extracellular matrixes, and cellular shear force, as well as enable the formation of heterotypic clusters. We seeded SHED in 3D silk fibroin porous scaffolds under static and dynamic cultures for 28 days, using the NIH3T3 cultivated medium as an induction agent. Many hepatospheres formed in these porous scaffolds, and cellular viability was shown to continually increase by MTT assays. Hepatic AFP and ALB gene expression, as well as glycogen storage, albumin secretion, and urea synthesis, were greater in cells in the 3D porous scaffold under a dynamic culture than in those cultured under 3D static culture and petri dish conditions. However, the 3D static culture is still superior to the traditional petri dish culture. The NIH3T3 cultivated medium can significantly induce hepatic differentiation of SHED, while the 3D dynamic culture system significantly enhances hepatic differentiation of SHED. This study provides alternative sources of hepatocytes for liver disease treatment.

Bone Tissue Engineering Using Human Cells: A Comprehensive Review on Recent Trends, Current Prospects, and Recommendations

The use of proper cells for bone tissue engineering remains a major challenge worldwide. Cells play a pivotal role in the repair and regeneration of the bone tissue in vitro and in vivo. Currently, a large number of differentiated (somatic) and undifferentiated (stem) cells have been used for bone reconstruction alone or in combination with different biomaterials and constructs (e.g., scaffolds). Although the results of the cell transplantation without any supporting or adjuvant material have been very effective with regard to bone healing. Recent advances in bone scaffolding are now becoming new players affecting the osteogenic potential of cells. In the present study, we have critically reviewed all the currently used cell sources for bone reconstruction and discussed the new horizons that are opening up in the context of cell-based bone tissue engineering strategies.

Comparing the Effects of Chitosan Scaffolds Containing Various Divalent Metal Phosphates on Osteogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth

Inducing the differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) proceeds with low efficiency, which greatly limits clinical applications. Divalent metal elements play an important role in osteoinductivity for bone remodeling because they can simulate bone formation and decrease bone resorption. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of some divalent metal phosphates on osteogenic differentiation from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. These divalent metal ions can be gradually released from the scaffold into the culture medium and continually induce osteoblastic differentiation. Experimental results revealed that SHEDs cultured in chitosan scaffolds containing divalent metal phosphates had notably increased osteoblastic differentiation compared with cells cultured without divalent metal phosphates. This effect was due to the high activity of alkaline phosphatase, as well as the bone-related gene expression of collagen type I, Runx2, osteopontin, osteocalcin, VEGF, and Ang-1, shown through RT-PCR and bone-related protein immunocytochemistry stains. A calcium-content assay further revealed significant enhancement of deposited minerals on the scaffolds after 21 days of culture, particularly for magnesium phosphate and zinc phosphate. Thus, divalent metals, except for barium phosphate, effectively promoted SHED cell differentiation and osteoblastic cell maturation. This study demonstrated that the divalent metal elements magnesium, strontium, and zinc could effectively induce SHED osteoblastic differentiation for use in tissue engineering and bone repair.

Dental pulp stem cells and osteogenesis: an update

Dental pulp stem cells constitute an attractive source of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells owing to their high proliferation rate and multilineage differentiation potential. Osteogenesis is initiated by osteoblasts, which originate from mesenchymal stem cells. These cells express specific surface antigens that disappear gradually during osteodifferentiation. In parallel, the appearance of characteristic markers, including alkaline phosphatase, collagen type I, osteocalcin and osteopontin characterize the osteoblastic phenotype of dental pulp stem cells. This review will shed the light on the osteogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells and explore the culture medium components, and markers associated with osteodifferentiation of these cells.

Odontogenic differentiation potential of human dental pulp cells cultured on a calcium-aluminate enriched chitosan-collagen scaffold

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to evaluate the odontogenic potential of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) in contact with an experimental porous chitosan-collagen scaffold (CHC) enriched or not with a mineral phase of calcium-aluminate (CHC-CA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To assess the chemotactic effect of the materials, we placed HDPCs seeded on transwell membranes in intimate contact with the CHC or CHC-CA surface, and the cell migration was monitored for 48 h. Additionally, cells were seeded onto the material surface, and the viability and proliferation were evaluated at several time points. To assess the odontoblastic differentiation, we evaluated ALP activity, DSPP/DMP-1 gene expression, and mineralized matrix deposition. HDPCs cultured onto a polystyrene surface (monolayer) were used as negative control group.

RESULTS

The experimental CHC-CA scaffold induced intense migration of HDPCs through transwell membranes, with cells attaching to and spreading on the material surface after 24-h incubation. Also, the HDPCs seeded onto the CHC-CA scaffold were capable of migrating inside it, remaining viable and featuring a proliferative rate more rapid than that of CHC and control groups at 7 and 14 days of cell culture. At long-term culture, cells in the CHC-CA scaffold featured the highest deposition of mineralized matrix and expression of odontoblastic markers (ALP activity and DSPP/DMP-1 gene expression).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results, the CHC-CA scaffold is a bioactive and cytocompatible material capable of increasing the odontogenic potential of human pulp cells. Based on analysis of the positive data obtained in this study, one can suggest that the CHC-CA scaffold is an interesting future candidate for the treatment of exposed pulps.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The experimental scaffold composed by a chitosan-collagen matrix mineralized with calcium aluminate seems to be an interesting candidate for in vivo application as a cell-free approach to dentin tissue engineering, which may open a new perspective for the treatment of exposed pulp tissue.

Visualization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in 2Dand 3D-Cultures by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Lanthanide Contrasting

Mesenchymal stromal cells from deciduous teeth in 2D- and 3D-cultures on culture plastic, silicate glass, porous polystyrene, and experimental polylactoglycolide matrices were visualized by scanning electron microscopy with lanthanide contrasting. Supravital staining of cell cultures with a lanthanide-based dye (neodymium chloride) preserved normal cell morphology and allowed assessment of the matrix properties of the carriers. The developed approach can be used for the development of biomaterials for tissue engineering.

Demineralization-remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone

Biomineralization is a dynamic, complex, lifelong process by which living organisms control precipitations of inorganic nanocrystals within organic matrices to form unique hybrid biological tissues, for example, enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone. Understanding the process of mineral deposition is important for the development of treatments for mineralization-related diseases and also for the innovation and development of scaffolds. This review provides a thorough overview of the up-to-date information on the theories describing the possible mechanisms and the factors implicated as agonists and antagonists of mineralization. Then, the role of calcium and phosphate ions in the maintenance of teeth and bone health is described. Throughout the life, teeth and bone are at risk of demineralization, with particular emphasis on teeth, due to their anatomical arrangement and location. Teeth are exposed to food, drink, and the microbiota of the mouth; therefore, they have developed a high resistance to localized demineralization that is unmatched by bone. The mechanisms by which demineralization-remineralization process occurs in both teeth and bone and the new therapies/technologies that reverse demineralization or boost remineralization are also scrupulously discussed. Technologies discussed include composites with nano- and micron-sized inorganic minerals that can mimic mechanical properties of the tooth and bone in addition to promoting more natural repair of surrounding tissues. Turning these new technologies to products and practices would improve health care worldwide.

Osteoblastic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth induced by thermosensitive hydrogels with strontium phosphate

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are a novel source of multi-potential stem cells for tissue engineering because of their potential to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Strontium exhibits an important function in bone remodeling because it can simulate bone formation and decrease bone resorption. Hydrogels can mimic the natural cellular environment. The association of hydrogels with cell viability is determined using biological tests, including rheological experiments. In this study, osteogenic differentiation was investigated through SHED encapsulation in hydrogels containing strontium phosphate. Results of 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunofluorescence staining indicated that the cells grew well and SHEDs proliferated in the hydrogels. Strontium-loaded chitosan-based hydrogels induced the biomineralization and high expression of alkaline phosphatase. Moreover, the expression levels of bone-related genes, including type-I collagen, Runx2, osteopontin (OP), and osteonectin (ON), were up-regulated during the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs. This study demonstrated that strontium can be an effective inducer of osteogenesis for SHEDs. Elucidating the function of bioceramics (such as strontium) is useful in designing and developing strategies for bone tissue engineering.

SHED - Basic Structure for Stem Cell Research

The discovery that stem cells from dental pulp are capable of differentiating into endothelial cells raised the exciting possibility that these cells can be a single source of odontoblasts and vascular networks in dental tissue engineering. These so-called mesenchymal stem cell populations have been identified from human exfoliated deciduous teeth because of their ability to generate clonogenic adherent colonies when grown and expanded. In addition to these stem cells, other population of stem cells can be from adult human dental pulp and periodontal ligament. The identification and isolation of these stem cells in adult dental pulp was first reported by Gronthos and co-workers in 2000.These dental pulp stem cells have clonogenic abilities, rapid proliferative rates and the capacity to form mineralized tissues both in vitro and in vivo. The stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth are distinct from dental pulp stem cells by virtue of their proliferation rate, increased cell population doublings and osteoinductive capacity in vivo. It is further demonstrated that human exfoliated deciduous teeth stem cells may not be a single-cell type, may well be a heterogenous population of cells from the pulp.

Osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth on poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibers containing strontium phosphate

Mimicking the architecture of the extracellular matrix is an effective strategy for tissue engineering. Composite nanofibers similar to natural bone structure can be prepared via an electrospinning technique and used in biomedical applications. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) can differentiate into multiple cell lineages, such as cells that are alternative sources of stem cells for tissue engineering. Strontium has important functions in bone remodeling; for example, this element can simulate bone formation and decrease bone resorption. Incorporating strontium phosphate into nanofibers provides a potential material for bone tissue engineering. This study investigated the potential of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers coated or blended with strontium phosphate for the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs. Cellular morphology and MTT assay revealed that nanofibers effectively support cellular attachment, spreading, and proliferation. Strontium-loaded PCL nanofibers exhibited higher expressions of collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, biomineralization, and bone-related genes than pure PCL nanofibers during the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs. This study demonstrated that strontium can be an effective inducer of osteogenesis for SHEDs. Understanding the function of bioceramics (such as strontium) is useful in designing and developing strategies for bone tissue engineering.