PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION

2023

Kappa-Carrageenan/Chitosan/Gelatin Scaffolds Provide a Biomimetic Microenvironment for Dentin-Pulp Regeneration

Loukelis K, Machla F, et al.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

University of Crete, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH - IESL)

Greece

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study developed composite scaffolds composed of kappa-carrageenan, chitosan, and gelatin (with and without potassium chloride crosslinking) to support odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). The scaffolds exhibited high porosity (~80%) and excellent biocompatibility, with sustained DPSC proliferation and infiltration over 28 days. The inclusion of kappa-carrageenan enhanced elastic modulus (up to 39 kPa) and induced earlier and higher expression of odontogenic markers ALP, RunX2, and DSPP. The kappa-carrageenan/KCl variant yielded the strongest mechanical and mineralization responses, suggesting synergistic ionic crosslinking and bioactivity conducive to dentin-pulp regeneration.

Mechanical properties of cell-free and DPSC-seeded scaffolds were analyzed using a CellScale UniVert compression and tensile test unit under wet conditions to quantify Young’s modulus between 5–20% strain at 1 mm/s. Results showed that kappa-carrageenan/KCl scaffolds exhibited the highest stiffness (39 kPa after 28 days), with a 27–36% increase due to cellular reinforcement. The UniVert system enabled precise assessment of cell-mediated mechanical strengthening and scaffold maturation under culture conditions.

AUTHORS

Konstantinos Loukelis, Foteini Machla, Athina Bakopoulou, Maria Chatzinikolaidou.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

YEAR

2023

INSTITUTIONS

University of Crete, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH - IESL)

COUNTRIES

Greece

INSTRUMENT USED

UniVert

TESTING METHODS

Compression TestingHydrated and Temperature Controlled TestingMicro-Mechanical Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Dental & Oral Tissue BiomechanicsInjectable & Regenerative BiomaterialsScaffold Mechanical TestingStem Cell Mechanobiology

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