Graphene Oxide-Enriched Polymer: Impact on Dental Pulp Cell Viability and Differentiation.
Magdalena Vega-Quiroz1, Agustin Reyes-Maciel1, Christian Andrea Lopez-Ayuso1
1Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory, Nanostructures, and Biomaterials Area, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores (ENES) Unidad León, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), León 37684, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Polymers
|July 12, 2025
Summary
Graphene oxide (GO) enhances polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for dental repair, significantly boosting human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) proliferation and differentiation. This PMMA+GO composite shows promise for regenerative dentistry applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Dental Engineering
Background:
- Maxillofacial defect reconstruction is crucial in dentistry, necessitating advanced biomaterials.
- Graphene oxide (GO) is explored to improve the biocompatibility of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) due to its unique nanostructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxicity, proliferation, and differentiation potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) when exposed to conventional PMMA and PMMA enriched with GO (PMMA+GO).
Main Methods:
- Primary hDPSC subcultures were used to test PMMA and PMMA+GO in direct and indirect contact.
- Cytotoxicity and proliferation were assessed using MTT assays over 14 days.
- Osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation were evaluated using specific staining methods.
Main Results:
- PMMA+GO demonstrated favorable cell viability in direct and indirect contact compared to PMMA alone.
- Significant enhancements in adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation were observed with PMMA+GO.
- Cell proliferation assays indicated improved cellular activity with the PMMA+GO composite.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating GO into PMMA biopolymers effectively stimulates hDPSC proliferation and differentiation.
- The PMMA+GO composite exhibits significant potential for applications in regenerative dentistry and biomedicine.
