Reparative Dentin Formation by Dentin Matrix Proteins and Small Extracellular Vesicles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Dentistry
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Vital pulp therapy seeks to maintain pulp vitality and promote dentin regeneration.
• Current therapies face challenges in achieving complete pulp regeneration and complex repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of combining treated dentin matrix (TDM) proteins with dental pulp cell (DPC)-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) for pulp-dentin complex repair.

Main Methods:

• TDM was prepared from demineralized and disrupted teeth.
• sEVs were isolated from DPC culture supernatants and characterized.
• In vitro assays assessed the effects of TDM and sEVs on DPC proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
• A minipig pulp injury model compared TDM, sEV-TDM, sEVs, and mineral trioxide aggregate.

Main Results:

• sEVs promoted DPC proliferation and migration.
• The sEV-TDM combination synergistically enhanced DPC migration but suppressed proliferation.
• sEV-TDM upregulated odontoblast-related gene and protein expression in DPCs.
• In vivo, sEV-TDM facilitated continuous reparative dentin formation with odontoblast-like cell layers.

Conclusions:

• The sEV-TDM complex possesses inherent biological activities beneficial for pulp repair.
• This bioactive complex demonstrates potential as a novel pulp-capping agent.