Analysis of the effect of LTA on tridimensional cell culture models for dental pulp cells and angiogenesis

Abstract

Inflammation process of dental pulp is a response to mechanical, chemical and microbial irritants, in order to eliminate pathogens and allow repair. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a bacterial cell wall component derived from Gram-positive bacteria, frequently found in dentinal tubules of teeth with deep caries lesions and in teeth with irreversible pulpitis, that can induce the expression of proinflammatory mediators. Dental pulp stem cells can differentiate in the presence of a tissue damage, and participate in the regeneration process. The success of most tissue engineering efforts relies on the establishment of an adequate blood supply to allow the survival, proliferation and differentiation of transplanted cells. Angiogenesis is fundamental in the inflammatory process, considering that inflammatory cells and mediators in the blood vessels are responsible for eliminating the injury, as a bacterial infection. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of LTA on 3D cell culture models for dental pulp stem cells and angiogenesis. Cells will be treated with LTA at different concentrations, without and with mineralization induction. Analysis of cytotoxicity of LTA concentrations in a 3D environment will be evaluated by WST-1. And 3D modeling of LTA treated cells will be performed. Droplet assay for endothelial cells will indicate the angiogenesis induction ability of LTA. Data will be analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by recommended post-hoc tests (p<0.05). (AU)