Injectable Thermo-Responsive Dentine Matrix Hydrogel for Enhancing Dentine Regeneration.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Dental Research

Background:

• Dentine regeneration is crucial for vital pulp therapy.
• Developing injectable and bioactive materials is a key challenge.
• Digested dentine matrix extract (DDME) shows potential for stimulating dentine formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an injectable, thermo-responsive composite paste (PLGA-PEG-PLGA/DDME) for dentine regeneration.
• To evaluate the paste's biocompatibility, injectability, and odontogenic potential.
• To elucidate the mechanism of DDME-induced dentine formation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of the PLGA-PEG-PLGA/DDME paste.
• In vitro assessment of biocompatibility and odontogenic differentiation using human dental pulp cells (hDPCs).
• In situ evaluation in a rat dentine defect model and proteomic analysis to identify signaling pathways.

Main Results:

• The PLGA-PEG-PLGA/DDME paste demonstrated excellent injectability and self-curing properties.
• In vitro studies showed enhanced hDPC viability, migration, and odontogenic differentiation.
• In situ studies confirmed the formation of dentine bridges, with mTOR signaling identified as a key mediator.

Conclusions:

• The PLGA-PEG-PLGA/DDME composite paste is a viable injectable biomaterial for dentine regeneration.
• Modulation of mTOR signaling presents a potential strategy to enhance regenerative outcomes.
• This material holds promise for applications in vital pulp therapy.