In vitro behavior of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) on polylactic/polyglycolic acid scaffolds with and without hydroxyapatite

Objectives: Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is essential in studying the interaction between mesenchymal stem cells and biomaterial for ensuring greater control over cell proliferation, adhesion and differentiation-related responses and functions, given that cells respond heterogeneously to the surface of different biomaterials.This study was aimed at analysing the in vitro behavior of human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSC) cultured on 3D extracellular polylactic/polyglycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds with and without hydroxyapatite (HA).
Methods: This was an experimental in vitro study. hDPSC were cultured on two types of scaffold (PLGA/HA and PLGA), using a StemPro osteogenesis differentiation kit, and cell proliferation, adhesion and differentiation regarding osteoblast lineage was evaluated at 3 different times; 7, 15 and 30 days; each experiment was done in triplicate. A split plot statistical model was used for analysing block data and multivariate analysis of variance (Manova) for semi-parametric data. A pilot study was then made using an animal (lagomorph) model for histological and clinical evaluation of bone regeneration.
Results: Cell proliferation and differentiation of hDPSC towards osteblastic lineage increased on the PLGA/HA scaffold at 7, 15 and 30 days. No statistically significant differences between the types of scaffold were observed regarding adhesion. Shorter time was observed in the regeneration of bone lesions of critical size in vivo with hDPSC on the PLGA / HA.
Conclusions: In vitro behavior of hDPSC in two types of scaffolds were significantly different; the PLGA/HA scaffold probably provided better physical and chemical signals, thereby explaining better cell proliferation and differentiation towards osteoblast lineage.