Peptide hydrogels as novel scaffolds for dental pulp cell culture

Results showed that 0.5% w/v NapFFK’K’-OH hydrogel and 10% RGD Bioglex hydrogel were most promising for 3D culture of DPCs. <br><br>The DPC secretome in 3D hydrogel culture was investigated to assess the suitability of the hydrogels for engineering the dentine-pulp complex. Results showed that 0.5% w/v NapFFK’K’-OH hydrogel favoured the production of angiogenic and neurotrophic factors, such as regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), relative to culture in 10% RGD Biogelx hydrogel however, neither type of hydrogel was found to be favourable for osteogenic differentiation. <br><br>The emergence of antibiotic resistance and the inability of current endodontic treatments to completely eliminate the underlying infection in the dental pulp contribute to failure of endodontic therapies.

To date very few hydrogels have been specifically designed to exhibit inherent antimicrobial properties. In this study it was shown that both NapFFK’K’-OH and 10% RGD Biogelx peptides displayed antimicrobial activities against the endodontic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. <br><br>In conclusion, peptide hydrogels may have potential for future use in regenerative endodontic therapies based on their biocompatibility, with human dental pulp cells, their ability to secrete angiogenic and neurotrophic factors in 3D culture and their antimicrobial activity against endodontic pathogens.