Bioengineered Gelatin Hydrogels Functionalized with VEGF/BMP2 Mimetic Peptides for Advancing Regenerative Endodontics

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Journal of endodontics Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-22 DOI:10.1016/j.joen.2026.01.015

Yuanyuan Han BDS, MSc, PhD , Hitesh Chopra BDS, MDS, PhD , Dineshi Sewvandi Thalakiriyawa BDS , Hong Wang BDS, MDS, PhD , Waruna Lakmal Dissanayaka BDS, PhD

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Regenerating the pulp-dentin complex is challenging due to its distinct biological, anatomical, and mechanical properties. To address this, we explored gelatin-based hydrogels modified by covalently binding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) mimetic peptides to target pulp and dentin regeneration.

Methods

Three distinct hydrogels: GelMA (gelatin methacrylate, 5% w/v), GelNB (norbornene-modified gelatin, 5% w/v), and GelMN (5% GelMA: 5% GelNB = 1:1) were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, n = 3), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR, n = 3), and swelling ratio analysis (n = 3). Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were encapsulated to assess viability (live/dead staining, n = 3) and spreading (n = 3). DPSCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cocultured in a VEGF mimetic peptide (200 μg/ml) functionalized GelMN hydrogel to evaluate vascular structure formation (n = 3). Conversely, DPSCs were encapsulated in a BMP2 mimetic peptide (20 μM) functionalized GelMA hydrogel to investigate the odontogenic differentiation (n = 3).

Results

SEM analysis showed GelMA exhibited a denser, more tightly crosslinked network and smaller pore size compared to GelNB/GelMN. FTIR confirmed the chemical composition of all 3 hydrogels, and the swelling ratio demonstrated no significant difference among them. All hydrogels exhibited excellent biocompatibility and supported cell viability after culturing with DPSCs. VEGF mimetic peptide in GelMN enhanced vascular tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells supported by DPSCs. In parallel, BMP2 mimetic peptide in GelMA significantly boosted the odonto-/osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs, as indicated by the expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein, alkaline phosphatase, and mineralization levels.

Conclusion

VEGF and BMP2 mimetic peptide-functionalized gelatin hydrogels is a promising approach to enhance pulp-dentin complex regeneration.

查看原文本刊更多论文

用VEGF/BMP2模拟肽功能化的生物工程明胶水凝胶推进再生牙髓学。

牙髓-牙本质复合体由于其独特的生物学、解剖学和力学特性而具有挑战性。为了解决这个问题，我们探索了通过共价结合VEGF和BMP2模拟肽修饰的明胶基水凝胶，以实现牙髓和牙本质的再生。方法：制备三种不同的水凝胶GelMA（甲基丙烯酸明胶，5% w/v）、GelNB（降冰片烯改性明胶，5% w/v）和GelMN (5% GelMA: 5% GelNB = 1:1)，并通过扫描电镜（SEM, n=3）、傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR, n=3）和膨胀比分析（n=3）对其进行表征。将人牙髓干细胞（DPSCs）包封以评估其活力（活/死染色，n=3）和扩散（n=3）。将DPSCs与人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）在VEGF模拟肽（200μg/ml）功能化的GelMN水凝胶中共培养，观察血管结构形成情况（n=3）。相反，将DPSCs包裹在模拟BMP2肽（20μM）功能化的GelMA水凝胶中，以研究成牙分化（n=3）。结果：SEM分析表明GelMA比GelNB/GelMN具有更致密、更紧密的交联网络和更小的孔径。FTIR证实了三种水凝胶的化学成分，其溶胀率无显著差异。所有水凝胶在与DPSCs培养后均表现出良好的生物相容性和细胞活力。GelMN中的VEGF模拟肽促进了DPSCs支持的HUVECs血管的形成。同时，通过牙本质唾液磷酸蛋白、碱性磷酸酶和矿化水平的表达，GelMA中BMP2模拟肽显著促进DPSCs向牙本质/成骨分化。结论：VEGF和BMP2模拟肽功能化明胶是促进牙本质复合体再生的有效途径。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of endodontics 医学-牙科与口腔外科

CiteScore

8.80

自引率

9.50%

发文量

224

审稿时长

42 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Endodontics, the official journal of the American Association of Endodontists, publishes scientific articles, case reports and comparison studies evaluating materials and methods of pulp conservation and endodontic treatment. Endodontists and general dentists can learn about new concepts in root canal treatment and the latest advances in techniques and instrumentation in the one journal that helps them keep pace with rapid changes in this field.