Early cellular activity of GelMA as a Photopolymerized Hydrogel using an ex vivo tooth slice model

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study determined the cellular effect of a light-polymerized three-dimensional hydrogel, Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) using an in vitro dentin slice model. Materials and Methods DPSCs were cultured on dentin discs which were filled with GelMA or Biodentine. Cells cultured without dentin or on untreated dentin discs were used as controls. DPSC viability, migration, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and angiogenic tubule formation and von-Willebrand factor (vWF) release by HUVECs were determined. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests was used to analyze the data. Results DPSCs showed similar viability in the GelMA, Biodentine, and untreated dentin disc groups at 4 days (p > 0.05), while higher cell viability was observed on GelMA than Biodentine at 7 days (p < 0.05). The migration and ALP activity were superior in the untreated dentin and GelMA groups compared to Biodentine (p < 0.05). HUVECs showed similar vWF release and tubule density on the GelMA and untreated dentin groups (p > 0.05). Biodentine significantly decreased vWF release (p < 0.05) and did not show any angiogenic tubule formation by HUVECs. Conclusion GelMA filled dentin discs enhanced viability, migration, mineralization and angiogenic ability of the cells compared to Biodentine. Clinical Relevance GelMA as a photopolymerized hydrogel enhanced cell viability and differentiation that can allow pulpal healing at the damaged site under the sealing materials.