A novel bio-active adhesive monomer induces odontoblast differentiation: a comparative study

To evaluate the in vitro effect of the novel adhesive monomer CMET, a calcium salt of 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate (4-MET), on the proliferation, mineralization and differentiation of odontoblast-like cells, comparing with 4-MET, calcium hydroxide (CH) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).

Rat odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 5% foetal bovine serum. The powder of four tested materials (CMET, 4-MET, CH and MTA) was first dissolved in distilled water (dH₂O) and then was diluted by DMEM to yield final concentrations. Solvent (dH₂O) was used as a control. Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 assay. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify the mRNA expression of odontogenic markers, cytokines and integrins. Mineralization inducing capacity was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity and alizarin red S staining. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way anova and post hoc Tukey's HSD test, with the significance level at 1%.

Cell viability was significantly greater in the CMET- (83 to 828 mmol L^-1), CH- and MTA-treated (low concentrations) groups than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Higher concentrations of each material decreased the viable cells to different extents (P < 0.01). CMET treatment augmented the expression of several integrin subunits and exhibited the highest mRNA expression levels of odontogenic markers among all groups (P < 0.01). CH and MTA treatment caused significantly greater upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression than the other groups (P < 0.01). The calcific deposition of MDPC-23 cells was dose-dependently accelerated by the addition of CMET (P < 0.01); the enhancement of mineralization was also found in the fresh prepared CH and MTA treatments. Besides, CMET showed consistency in mineralization induction after 8 weeks storage. Exposure to SB202190, a specific p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases inhibitor, significantly decreased the ALPase activity as well as the mineral deposition which was enhanced by CMET treatment (P < 0.01).

The novel bio-active monomer had the lowest cytotoxicity among all groups and it induced the proliferation, mineralization and differentiation of odontoblast-like cells under appropriate concentrations. This adhesive monomer possesses excellent biocompatibility and hence exhibits great potential in dentine regeneration.