Enhancing Effects of Immobilized Chondroitin Sulfate on Odontogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Reparative Dentin Formation

Introduction: Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a major proteoglycan involved in the mineralization of the organic matrix of dentin. In this study, the roles of CS immobilized in cross-linked collagen I (Col I) hydrogels on odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and reparative dentin formation were investigated. Methods: Different concentrations of CS were incorporated into the genipin-cross-linked Col I hydrogels (CS-0.05, CS-0.1, and CS-0.2, respectively). The influences of CS on the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs were investigated. Finally, the effect of the functionalized hydrogel on the formation of reparative dentin was analyzed in a rat pulp capping model in vivo. Results: CS improved the proliferation of DPSCs seeded on the hydrogels (P < .05). CS also enhanced the mineralization activities and increased the expression levels of the odontogenic-related pro-teins of DPSCs on days 7 and 14 (P < .05). In vivo, CS-0.1 hydrogel induced reparative dentin formation with higher quality compared with mineral trioxide aggregate. Conclusions: CS immobilized in Col I hydrogels could induce odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs in vitro and promote homogeneous mineralized barrier formation in vivo. CS-Col I hydrogel has the po-tential for reparative dentin formation of high quality in direct pulp capping. (J Endod 2023;49:852-860.)

Automated summary

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) immobilized in collagen I (Col I) hydrogels was found to induce odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and promote high-quality reparative dentin formation. CS improved DPSCs proliferation and enhanced mineralization activities. In vivo experiments demonstrated that CS-0.1 hydrogel induced higher quality reparative dentin formation compared to mineral trioxide aggregate. Therefore, CS-Col I hydrogel has the potential for high-quality reparative dentin formation in direct pulp capping.