Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the use of alginate hydrogels to present either exogenous or endogenous transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 to the dentin-pulp complex to signal reparative processes. Hydrogels were prepared, applied to cultured human tooth slices and the effects on tertiary dentinogenesis examined histologically. Both TGF-beta 1-containing and acid-treated alginate hydrogels, but not untreated hydrogels, upregulated dentin matrix secretion and induced odontoblast-like cell differentiation with subsequent secretion of regular tubular dentin matrix on cut pulpal surfaces. It is concluded that TGF-beta 1 can signal both induction of odontoblast-like cell differentiation and upregulation of their matrix secretion in the human dentin-pulp complex. Alginate hydrogels provide an appropriate matrix in which dental regeneration can take place and may also be useful for delivery of growth factors, including TGF-beta s, to enhance the natural regenerative capacity of the dental pulp.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 387-90 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Connective Tissue Research |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 2-3 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2002 |