Development and characterization of decellularized extracellular matrix scaffold loaded with secretome of stem cells in bioengineering of dental pulp

• Grant number: 18/14694-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: October 01, 2018 - December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: Maria Stella Nunes Araujo Moreira
• Grantee: Maria Stella Nunes Araujo Moreira
• Host Institution: Universidade Ibirapuera (UNIB). Campus Chácara Flora. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Gabriel Romero Liguori ; Itamara Lucia Itagiba Neves ; Luiz Felipe Pinho Moreira

Abstract

The application of bioengineering tissues with therapeutical approaches, based on the homing of stem cells, in endodontic treatments, has shown promising results. The perception on how to stimulate the recruitment, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells originated from apical periodontium would allow the conduction of translational studies using homing of stem cells to regenerate dental tissues. In a previous study, the application of regenerative endodontics was investigated in rodents' vital teeth based on the homing of stem cells from periapical tissues within natural scaffold (blood clot) in the root canal, which resulted in the formation of connective tissue similar to the dental pulp. In the present study, we have the following objectives: (a) to develop and characterize scaffolds based on hydrogels; (b) to investigate the kinetics rates and release of substances secreted by stem cells (secretomes) and incorporated in scaffolds; (c) to analyze in vitro cellular responses to scaffolds; and (d) to investigate the pre-clinical application of scaffolds in pulp regeneration based on homing of stem cells. Scaffolds will be developed from the decellularized extracellular, chitosan or a combination of both. Then, those scaffolds will be characterized in terms of biochemical composition, topographical and ultrastructural analysis apart from physico-chemical proprieties. The secretomes obtained from the dental pulp isolated cells, which are characterized as stem cells, will be incorporated in the scaffolds; and the kinetics of release will be investigated. Stem cells cultivated in the scaffolds will be evaluated in terms of proliferation potential, migration and differentiation. Lastly, the potential of scaffolds will be investigated in vivo with the secretomes in the pulp engineering based on homing of stem cells in molars of rodents with inducted periapical lesion. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CARVALHO, GIOVANNA LOPES; SARRA, GIOVANNA; SCHROTER, GABRIELLA TORRES; GOMES SILVA, LINDA SARAH REIS; KUBO ARIGA, SUELY KUNIMI; GONCALVES, FLAVIA; CABALLERO-FLORES, HECTOR VALENTIN; MOREIRA, MARIA STELLA. Pro-angiogenic potential of a functionalized hydrogel scaffold as a secretome delivery platform: An innovative strategy for cell homing-based dental pulp tissue engineering. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, v. 16, n. 5, p. 12-pg., 2022-03-04. (18/14694-8, 19/19066-8, 18/01501-7)

MOREIRA, MARIA STELLA; SARRA, GIOVANNA; CARVALHO, GIOVANNA LOPES; GONCALVES, FLAVIA; CABALLERO-FLORES, HECTOR VALENTIN; FAGUNDES PEDRONI, ANA CLARA; LASCALA, CESAR ANGELO; CATALANI, LUIZ HENRIQUE; MARQUES, MARCIA MARTINS. Physical and Biological Properties of a Chitosan Hydrogel Scaffold Associated to Photobiomodulation Therapy for Dental Pulp Regeneration: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, v. 2021, JAN 27 2021. (18/01501-7, 18/14694-8)