Tissue engineering: a glue for biomaterials

Histologic Evidence of Oral and Periodontal Regeneration Using Recombinant Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

Human histology provides critical information on the biological potential of various regenerative protocols and biomaterials, which is vital to advancing the field of periodontal regeneration, both in research and clinical practice. Outcomes of histologic studies are particularly valuable when interpreted considering additional evidence available from pre-clinical and clinical studies. One of the best-documented growth factors areproven to have positive effects on a myriad of oral regenerative procedures is recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor—BB (rhPDGF-BB). While a systematic review of clinical studies evaluating rhPDGF in oral regenerative procedures has been recently completed, a review article that focuses on the histologic outcomes is needed. Hence, this communication discusses the histologic effects of rhPDGF-BB on oral and periodontal regenerative procedures, including root coverage and soft tissue augmentation, intrabony defects, furcation defects, peri-implant bone augmentation, and guided bone regeneration. Studies from 1989 to 2022 have been included in this review.

Bridging wounds: tissue adhesives' essential mechanisms, synthesis and characterization, bioinspired adhesives and future perspectives

Bioadhesives act as a bridge in wound closure by forming an effective interface to protect against liquid and gas leakage and aid the stoppage of bleeding. To their credit, tissue adhesives have made an indelible impact on almost all wound-related surgeries. Their unique properties include minimal damage to tissues, low chance of infection, ease of use and short wound-closure time. In contrast, classic closures, like suturing and stapling, exhibit potential additional complications with long operation times and undesirable inflammatory responses. Although tremendous progress has been made in the development of tissue adhesives, they are not yet ideal. Therefore, highlighting and summarizing existing adhesive designs and synthesis, and comparing the different products will contribute to future development. This review first provides a summary of current commercial traditional tissue adhesives. Then, based on adhesion interaction mechanisms, the tissue adhesives are categorized into three main types: adhesive patches that bind molecularly with tissue, tissue-stitching adhesives based on pre-polymer or precursor solutions, and bioinspired or biomimetic tissue adhesives. Their specific adhesion mechanisms, properties and related applications are discussed. The adhesion mechanisms of commercial traditional adhesives as well as their limitations and shortcomings are also reviewed. Finally, we also discuss the future perspectives of tissue adhesives.

Engineering a naturally-derived adhesive and conductive cardiopatch

Myocardial infarction (MI) leads to a multi-phase reparative process at the site of damaged heart that ultimately results in the formation of non-conductive fibrous scar tissue. Despite the widespread use of electroconductive biomaterials to increase the physiological relevance of bioengineered cardiac tissues in vitro, there are still several limitations associated with engineering biocompatible scaffolds with appropriate mechanical properties and electroconductivity for cardiac tissue regeneration. Here, we introduce highly adhesive fibrous scaffolds engineered by electrospinning of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) followed by the conjugation of a choline-based bio-ionic liquid (Bio-IL) to develop conductive and adhesive cardiopatches. These GelMA/Bio-IL adhesive patches were optimized to exhibit mechanical and conductive properties similar to the native myocardium. Furthermore, the engineered patches strongly adhered to murine myocardium due to the formation of ionic bonding between the Bio-IL and native tissue, eliminating the need for suturing. Co-cultures of primary cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts grown on GelMA/Bio-IL patches exhibited comparatively better contractile profiles compared to pristine GelMA controls, as demonstrated by over-expression of the gap junction protein connexin 43. These cardiopatches could be used to provide mechanical support and restore electromechanical coupling at the site of MI to minimize cardiac remodeling and preserve normal cardiac function.

Platelet Rich Fibrin in double lateral sliding bridge flap procedure for gingival recession coverage: An original study

Background:

Gingival recession is a common occurrence in periodontal disease leading to an unaesthetic appearance of the gingiva. The effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), when used along with double lateral sliding bridge flap (DLSBF), remains unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of PRF in conjunction with DLSBF for multiple gingival recessions.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty systemically healthy individuals exhibiting Grade II gingival recession on their mandibular central incisors were recruited in this study. These patients were randomly assigned into two groups: DLSBF and PRF + DLSBF. The clinical parameters that were evaluated in this study were gingiva recession height, gingiva recession width, width of keratinized gingiva, clinical attachment level, and probing depth. PRF was procured from the patient's blood at the time of the surgery and used for the procedure. The follow-up was performed at 12 and 24 weeks postsurgery.

Results:

Statistically significant difference was observed between the clinical parameters at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks within the groups. There was no statistically significant difference, between the groups. Mean root coverage (RC) was 80% ±29.1% in the DLSBF group and 78.8% ±37.6% in the DLSBF + PRF group with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion:

From the results obtained in this study, the addition of PRF to DLSBF gives no additional benefits to the clinical parameters measured in RC.

Asymmetric collapse in biomimetic complex coacervates revealed by local polymer and water dynamics

Complex coacervation is a phenomenon characterized by the association of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes into micrometer-scale liquid condensates. This process is the purported first step in the formation of underwater adhesives by sessile marine organisms, as well as the process harnessed for the formation of new synthetic and protein-based contemporary materials. Efforts to understand the physical nature of complex coacervates are important for developing robust adhesives, injectable materials, or novel drug delivery vehicles for biomedical applications; however, their internal fluidity necessitates the use of in situ characterization strategies of their local dynamic properties, capabilities not offered by conventional techniques such as X-ray scattering, microscopy, or bulk rheological measurements. Herein, we employ the novel magnetic resonance technique Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (DNP), together with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) line shape analysis, to concurrently quantify local molecular and hydration dynamics, with species- and site-specificity. We observe striking differences in the structure and dynamics of the protein-based biomimetic complex coacervates from their synthetic analogues, which is an asymmetric collapse of the polyelectrolyte constituents. From this study we suggest charge heterogeneity within a given polyelectrolyte chain to be an important parameter by which the internal structure of complex coacervates may be tuned. Acquiring molecular-level insight to the internal structure and dynamics of dynamic polymer complexes in water through the in situ characterization of site- and species-specific local polymer and hydration dynamics should be a promising general approach that has not been widely employed for materials characterization.

Platelet-derived growth factor applications in periodontal and peri-implant bone regeneration

INTRODUCTION

Achieving successful tissue regeneration following traditional therapeutic protocols, combining bone grafts and barrier membranes, may be challenging in certain clinical scenarios. A deeper understanding of periodontal and peri-implant wound healing and recent advances in the field of tissue engineering have provided clinicians with novel means to obtain predictable clinical outcomes. The use of growth factors such as recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF) with biocompatible matrices to promote tissue regeneration represents a promising approach in the disciplines of periodontology and implantology.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the basic principles of bone and periodontal regeneration, and provides an overview of the biology of PDGF and its potential to predictably and reproducibly promote bone regeneration in regular clinical practice. The results of preclinical and clinical human studies evaluating the effectiveness of growth-factor-enhanced matrices are analyzed and discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Current available evidence supports the use of rhPDGF-enhanced matrices to promote periodontal and peri-implant bone regeneration.

The adhesive properties of coacervated recombinant hybrid mussel adhesive proteins

Marine mussels attach to substrates using adhesive proteins. It has been suggested that complex coacervation (liquid-liquid phase separation via concentration) might be involved in the highly condensed and non-water dispersed adhesion process of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs). However, as purified natural MAPs are difficult to obtain, it has not been possible to experimentally validate the coacervation model. In the present work, we demonstrate complex coacervation in a system including recombinant MAPs and hyaluronic acid (HA). Our recombinant hybrid MAPs, fp-151 and fp-131, can be produced in large quantities, and are readily purified. We observed successful complex coacervation using cationic fp-151 or fp-131, and an anionic HA partner. Importantly, we found that highly condensed complex coacervates significantly increased the bulk adhesive strength of MAPs in both dry and wet environments. In addition, oil droplets were successfully engulfed using a MAP-based interfacial coacervation process, to form microencapsulated particles. Collectively, our results indicate that a complex coacervation system based on MAPs shows superior adhesive properties, combined with additional valuable features including liquid/liquid phase separation and appropriate viscoelasticity. Our microencapsulation system could be useful in the development of new adhesive biomaterials, including self-adhesive microencapsulated drug carriers, for use in biotechnological and biomedical applications.