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Published on: June 14, 2011
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A Novel Strategy to Engineer Pre-Vascularized Full-Length Dental Pulp-like Tissue Constructs
Avathamsa Athirasala1, Fernanda Lins1, Anthony Tahayeri1
1Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Scientific Reports
|June 14, 2017
Summary
This study engineered pre-vascularized dental pulp constructs using gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels. This novel approach addresses vascularization challenges for pulp regeneration in root canal therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Dental Research
Background:
- Vascularization is critical for engineered dental pulp regeneration.
- Current strategies face challenges, especially for adult teeth requiring root canal therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel strategy for engineering pre-vascularized, cell-laden hydrogel pulp constructs in root canals.
- To optimize microenvironmental conditions within hydrogels for cell viability and vascular network formation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels with tunable properties.
- Encapsulated odontoblast-like cells (OD21) and endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) within hydrogels.
- Fabricated pre-vascularized constructs in full-length root canals with microchannels.
Main Results:
- Higher GelMA concentration (15% w/v) and stiffness enhanced OD21 cell viability, proliferation, and ECFC monolayer formation.
- ECFCs seeded into microchannels formed monolayers and exhibited angiogenic sprouting within 7 days.
- Successfully fabricated pre-vascularized, full-length, dental pulp-like tissue constructs.
Conclusions:
- GelMA hydrogels provide a suitable microenvironment for dental pulp tissue engineering.
- The proposed method offers a simple and effective strategy for creating pre-vascularized dental pulp constructs.
- This approach holds potential for translational outcomes in pulp regeneration and root canal therapy.
