Biodegradable double layer scaffold for periodontal engineering

Introduction

Periodontium is often affected by periodontal disease, which is currently treated by tooth extraction, gingival flaps, root planning and conditioning, application of growth/differentiation factors or filler materials and guided tissue regeneration (GTR). Recently, Tissue Engineering as emerged as an alternative and advantageous approach for periodontal regeneration.

This work describes the development and characterization of a new scaffold composed by a starch+poly(e-caprolactone) (SPCL) membrane, which aims at acting as GTR barrier, and a SPCL fibre mesh functionalized with calcium and silicon with osteoinductive properties. The final aim is to combine this scaffold with adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) to obtain a tissue engineered construct for periodontal regeneration.

Materials and Methods

The SPCL membrane was obtained by solvent casting and the fibre mesh (WSFM) by wet-spinning, which were combined by compression into a double-layer scaffold.

The developed materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile tests and Fourrier Transmission Infra-red (FTIR) analysis. Degradation behavior under the effect of relevant enzymes, alpha-amylase and lipase, was also evaluated.

Finally, it was studied the proliferation and differentiation of canine ASCs seeded onto scaffold by dsDNA quantification and by SEM.

Results

SEM revealed an inwardly adherence between layers without decreasing roughness and fibres interconnection.

FTIR analysis confirmed presence of Si-O-Si and Si-OH bonds in functionalized WSFM. Scaffold exhibits high mechanical properties.

Degradation tests showed that weigh loss was gradual in all conditions (enhanced by enzymes), being expected the material remain functional during the required two months of in vivo regeneration. Preliminary results from cell culturing experiments showed increased cell proliferation, according to DNA increasing and SEM observations, suggesting that this material provides a good support for ASCs.

Conclusions

This work is a contribution to reach an effective technique for periodontal therapy, using an innovative combination of cells and bioactive matrix.