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The Effect of Collagen Scaffold Structural Properties on Dental Pulp Stem Cells Viability and Survival

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posted on 2025-01-29, 08:12 authored by Ivana Ilic Dimitrijevic

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) seeded on a Collagen type I (Col I) scaffold has failed to produce dentine-like tissue in vivo. Therefore, an innovative approach is required to generate an optimal environment for these cells, enabling successful dental pulp regeneration. In response, we designed a variety of porous, cross-linked matrices composed of Col I, Collagen III (Col III), Collagen IV (Col IV), and Hyaluronic Acid ( HyA) to mimic the dental pulp extracellular matrix. Consequently, this study's primary objective was  to  investigate  the  biological  response  of  DPSCs  under  different  collagen concentrations within these scaffolds. The first task was to identify the optimal concentration of Col I, Col III and Col IV matrices that would facilitate viability and survival of DPSCs within 2D and 3D environments. Our observations revealed that a layer consisting solely of Col I (5μl/ml) or a combination of Col III and Col I (5μl/ml) is the ideal, low-toxic 2D environment for DPSCs viability and survival. Moreover, DPSCs gave the highest metabolic rate on 3D matrices composed of Col III (50 μl/ml) and Col I (5μl/ml) and on pure Collagen III (100 μl/ml). Moreover, DPSCs had well-organized architecture resembling connective-like tissue on a Col IV scaffold. Next, fabricated Col I scaffold with a stiffness of about 1kPa and an average pore size of 120μm supported DPSCs viability and survival. We used a softer HyA/Col IV scaffold as a control. DPSCs loaded on Col I scaffold showed significantly higher metabolicrate indicating that scaffold’s mechanical properties and increased stiffness determined better cellular viability. In conclusion, the higher stiffness of Col I scaffolds significantly enhanced the viability and survival of DPSCs. An increased concentration of Col III in scaffolds resulted in a better viability of DPSCs than pure Col I scaffold within the 3D environment. The scaffolds made of Col I and III and pure Col III may be a superior material to a traditional Col I matrix for enhancing DPSCs activity and survival. Col IV can be used to guide DPSCs polarization within matrix.

Funding

Faculty of Dentistry RCSI

History

First Supervisor

Dr. Oran Kennedy

Second Supervisor

Dr. Caroline Curtin

Third Supervisor

Dr. Henry Duncan

Comments

Submitted for the Award of Masters of Science: Research to RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023

Published Citation

Ilic Dimitrijevic I., The Effect of Collagen Scaffold Structural Properties on Dental Pulp Stem Cells Viability and Survival. [MSc thesis] Dublin: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences; 2023

Degree Name

  • Master of Science (MSc): Research

Date of award

2023-11-30

Programme

  • Master of Science (MSc): Research

Research Area

  • Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine

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