Enhanced activity and differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells by chitosan scaffold and its application in periodontal bone regeneration

Abstract

To effectively promote the healing of periodontal bone defect (BD), an innovative approach was adopted, utilizing a combination of chitosan scaffold (CS) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) for periodontal regeneration. The CS was prepared with a pore size of approximately 150 μm and a porosity of 75%, exhibiting water absorption and swelling rates of 90% and 72%, respectively. Furthermore, the CS exhibited excellent antibacterial properties and effectively inhibited the proliferation activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis, thereby creating a favorable environment for DPSCs to proliferate. In cellular experiments, CS effectively enhanced the activity of DPSCs and demonstrated good osteoconductivity and osteoinduction, effectively enhancing the migration and mineralization ability of DPSCs. In animal studies, the combined application of CS and DPSCs improved the repair of periodontal BD, promoted the regeneration of bone trabecular, and increased bone density at the defect site. Therefore, the combined application of CS and DPSCs holds significant potential for the treatment of periodontal BD.