Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of a mineral-coated porous chitosan scaffold for pulp-dentin complex regeneration

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to extract chitosan from the crabs shells to develop a mineral-coated porous chitosan scaffold, which will be assessed using a tri-dimensional (3D) cell culture model concerning its bioactive potential for pulp-dentin complex regeneration. Initially, chitosan will be extracted from crabs shells and then different formulations of porous chitosan scaffolds will be tested in order to select the best formulation regarding the physical, chemical and mechanical properties, as well as the biological behavior on human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Then, different concentrations of a mineral phase will be incorporated into the porous chitosan scaffolds, selecting those capable of improving the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the biomaterial, as well as favor a better adhesion, proliferation, ALP activity and mineralized nodules formation by hDPCs. Finally, the best formulation of the mineral-coated porous chitosan scaffolds obtained, will be assessed concerning cell migration potential and gene expression of odontogenic differentiation markers using a 3D cell culture model for in vitro evaluation of the pulp-dentin complex regeneration. For quantitative analysis, a significance level of 5% will be assigned.