IADR Abstract Archives
Regeneration of Enamel-dentin Tissues Using 3D-printed Dual-compartment Scaffolds
Objectives: Tooth loss, caused by trauma, aging or disease, has severe physiological and psychological impacts. Tooth is composed of three main layers consisting enamel, dentin and pulp. Enamel is produced by dental epithelium stem cells (DESCs) differentiated into ameloblasts, which are lost after tooth appearance in oral cavity, and incapable of self-renewal. Dentin is formed by dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DPSCs) differentiated into odontoblasts, which continue to exist in dental pulp, and exhibit limited capacity for regeneration. Consecutive and mutual interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells are essential for tooth development. Enamel and dentin composite tissues regeneration is required to biologically restore dental crown defects. Our objective is to fine-tune the optimal conditions to regenerate dental enamel and to promote enamel–dentin integration.
Methods: We used qRT-PCR, histology, micro-CT, confocal microscopy, and immunohistochemistry to test if (1) hDESC differentiates into enamel-producing ameloblasts upon T-box 1 delivery within different pore sizes of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds and (2) joint enamel-dentin formation is achieved within 3D-PLLA scaffolds with two compartments separated by a membrane (which allows biomolecule communication between hDESC-hDPSC but prevents cell migration).
Results: The differentiation potential of hDESC into ameloblasts depends on scaffold pore size and over-expression of TBX1 ameloblast differentiation driver. Co-differentiation of hDESC and hDPSC is characterized in vitro and evaluated within alginate-chitosan hydrogels suggesting that these hydrogels can carry successfully hDESC and hDPSC into PLLA scaffolds with two compartments to be fabricated using the 3D printing technique. Our pilot in vivo studies showed that human enamel- and dentin-like tissues are formed in vivo. Follow-up animal studies with hDESCs and hDPSCs placed into two compartments scaffolds are ongoing.
Conclusions: We anticipate that two-compartment scaffolds will support simultaneous formation of human enamel and dentin in vivo, which is an essential step towards the biological repair of diseased or missing tooth parts.
Methods: We used qRT-PCR, histology, micro-CT, confocal microscopy, and immunohistochemistry to test if (1) hDESC differentiates into enamel-producing ameloblasts upon T-box 1 delivery within different pore sizes of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds and (2) joint enamel-dentin formation is achieved within 3D-PLLA scaffolds with two compartments separated by a membrane (which allows biomolecule communication between hDESC-hDPSC but prevents cell migration).
Results: The differentiation potential of hDESC into ameloblasts depends on scaffold pore size and over-expression of TBX1 ameloblast differentiation driver. Co-differentiation of hDESC and hDPSC is characterized in vitro and evaluated within alginate-chitosan hydrogels suggesting that these hydrogels can carry successfully hDESC and hDPSC into PLLA scaffolds with two compartments to be fabricated using the 3D printing technique. Our pilot in vivo studies showed that human enamel- and dentin-like tissues are formed in vivo. Follow-up animal studies with hDESCs and hDPSCs placed into two compartments scaffolds are ongoing.
Conclusions: We anticipate that two-compartment scaffolds will support simultaneous formation of human enamel and dentin in vivo, which is an essential step towards the biological repair of diseased or missing tooth parts.