Biodegradable polymer scaffolds loaded with low-dose BMP-2 stimulate periodontal ligament cell differentiation

• Poly(l-lactide)-co-(epsilon-caprolactone) [poly(LLA-co-CL)] and poly(l-lactide)-co-(1,5-dioxepan-2-one) [poly(LLA-co-DXO)] are being considered candidate scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. We evaluated the bioactive potential of poly(LLA-co-CL) and poly(LLA-co-DXO) scaffolds loaded with low-dose bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured onto the various scaffolds loaded with 1 μg BMP-2 or without BMP-2 (control). Cell viability, attachment, and proliferation were determined using a methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay at day 1, 3, and 7. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze cell morphology at day 7. Cell differentiation was evaluated assaying alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at day 7, 14, and 21. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of periostin, ALP, type I collagen, bone sialoprotein and BMP-2. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess BMP-2 production. Surface analysis disclosed excellent cell attachment, spread, and penetration into the porous scaffolds. The MTT assay indicated that scaffolds loaded with low concentration of BMP-2 did not influence the viability of cells. Cells grown on the modified scaffolds expressed higher levels of osteogenic markers than the nonmodified scaffolds (p<0.05). Poly(LLA-co-CL) and poly(LLA-co-DXO) scaffolds loaded with low-dose BMP-2 exhibited a significant effect stimulating PDL differentiation suggesting a continued evaluation in relevant in vivo models.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

bioengineering

BMP-2

cell biology

differentiation

polymer scaffolds

Biodegradable polymers

Biomaterials

Bone

Cells

Cytology

Differentiation (calculus)

Phosphatases

Polymerase chain reaction

Scanning electron microscopy

Surface analysis

Systems science

Alkaline phosphatase activity

Biodegradable polymer scaffolds

Bone morphogenetic protein-2

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

Periodontal ligament cells

Scaffolds (biology)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)