Behaviour of XXXX dental pulp cells cultured in a collagen hydrogel scaffold crosslinked with @entity7655 .

@entity1 @entity7655 @entity6033 @entity460 @entity623
AIMS: To investigate the effects of the crosslinking agent @entity7655 (CA) on differentiation of @entity1 dental pulp cells (hDPCs) cultured in a collagen hydrogel, which may be useful as a scaffold for regenerative endodontic therapy. METHODOLOGY: The odontogenic potential of hDPCs exposed to CA was examined using @entity623 ( @entity623 ) activity, @entity6033 staining, and real-time polymerase chain reaction for odontogenic gene expression. The morphological features of hDPCs cultured in CA-treated collagen were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Determination of cell numbers for evaluating proliferation was assessed by optical and fluorescence microscopy. To assess the mechanical properties of collagen treated with CA, setting time, compressive strength, and surface roughness were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test compared with control (P = 0.05). RESULTS: CA per se did not increase @entity623 activity, @entity460 nodule formation, and expression of odontogenic-related markers (P > 0.05). On the contrary, the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of hDPCs cultured in a collagen scaffold was promoted in the presence of CA (P < 0.05). The setting time was significantly shortened, and the compressive strength and surface roughness were increased by treatment with CA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Crosslinking of collagen scaffolds by CA had beneficial effects with respect to attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of hDPCs. Consequently, the application of crosslinking agents such as CA may represent a new strategy for dentine-pulp complex regeneration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
