Effects of low level laser phototherapy associated with scaffold with incorporation of BMP4 in adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells from human dental pulp: in vitro study

Abstract

Maintaining the vitality of the dental element in the oral cavity is a major challenge of minimally invasive dentistry. Due to the low remodeling potential of the dental pulp, particularly in mature teeth, conservative treatments of this tissue tend to fail, especially when performed as a result of carious process. Currently, no restorative material integrally reproduces the physical and chemical characteristics of sound tooth tissue. On the other hand, cell therapy has shown great potential to regenerate the pulp-dentin complex. Scaffolds, morfogens and stem cells are the key elements of study in tissue engineering. Recently, phototherapy with low intensity laser (FTLBI) has shown a promising additional component, able to modulate cellular functions necessary for rebuilding tissue, like stem cell proliferation and migration. In this way, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of FTLBI associated to a scaffold consisting of hydrogels (Poloxamer 407), incorporated with growth factor BMP4, in the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells from human dental pulp in vitro. The cell adhesion and proliferation inside the biomaterial will be observed using fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, cell diferentiation into the scaffold will be investigated by dentin matrix proteins identification by western blotting analysis as well as the production calcium deposits by alizarin red assay. Data willl be analysed with a confidence level of 95%. (AU)