Biomimetic Periodontal Ligament Transplantation Activated by Gold Nanoparticles Protects Alveolar Bone

Abstract

Stem cell therapy might be a promising method to stimulate alveolar bone regeneration, which is currently a major clinical challenge. However, its therapeutic features largely depend on pretreatment and transplantation preparation. Herein, a novel biomimetic periodontal ligament transplantation composed of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) pretreated with gold nanocomplexes (AuNCs) and embedded in a type-I collagen hydrogel scaffold is developed to protect alveolar bone from resorption. AuNCs are readily absorbed by primary hPDLSCs, with limited cytotoxicity, and promote osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs effectively in vitro. In addition, the AuNCs-induced hPDLSCs are encapsulated with type-I collagen hydrogel scaffold to mimic their native physiological niche, and then are transplanted into a rat model of alveolar bone resorption. Both micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and immunohistochemical assays demonstrate that alveolar bone loss is significantly prevented. Furthermore, the underlying therapeutic mechanism is elucidated, in which transplantation-activated osteogenesis is associated with autophagy, which enables bone remodeling and regeneration. This study provides critical insight into the role of PDLSCs in bone homeostasis and proposes an innovative AuNCs-based strategy for stem cell therapy in bone regeneration.

Multifunctional Metal–Phenolic Composites Promote Efficient Periodontitis Treatment via Antibacterial and Osteogenic Properties

“…The AuNPs in Au@MPN-BMP2 exhibit several mechanisms to alleviate periodontal inflammatory bone loss. They can inhibit the polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype during inflammation and enhance the expression of BMP2 in macrophages. , Additionally, AuNPs can induce periodontal tissue regeneration by enhancing the autophagy capability of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) ,, and directly activate the p38 MAPK pathway to promote the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs . Masson and H&E staining of periodontal tissue revealed collagen loss and increased inflammation in the blank group.…”

Nanomaterials for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration: Progress, Challenges and Future Perspectives

“…In addition, in vivo cell labeling and tracking using AuNPs with CT have become a cost-effective and time-efficient approach [ 58 ]. Among the included studies, AuNPs have also been shown to have high potential in alveolar bone regeneration [ 13 , 59 , 60 ]. Besides the advantages mentioned above, AuNPs can promote the proliferation and differentiation of bone-forming cells, such as osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells [ 61 , 62 ].…”

“…Nanomaterials, in the range of 1–100 nanometers, have gained significant attention in regeneration medicine due to their unique optical, mechanical, magnetic, electronic and catalytic properties [ 9 ], which explain their high biocompatibility, permeability, tunability and immune evasion capability. Hence, they exhibit tremendous potential in tissue engineering [ 10 ], as anti-bacterial agents [ 11 ], for drug delivery [ 12 ], tissue repair [ 13 ] and functional imaging (such as MRI and CT) [ 14 ]. Recently, various types of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanocomposites, nanofibers, nanotubes and nanosheets, have achieved satisfying outcomes and could therefore be used to reconstruct structures and restore the functions of oral tissues [ 15 ].…”

Gold Nanoparticles Confined in Mesoporous Bioactive Glass for Periodontitis Therapy

“…For example, Au-NPs, polydopamine, and transition-metal dichalcogenides have been combined with MBG for the photothermal treatment of bacterial infection and bone defect. However, compared with other photothermal materials, the small Au NPs can facilitate osteogenesis by activating related osteogenic protein. − Therefore, the combination of Au NPs and MBG is a feasible approach to combine the advantages of both Au NPs and MBG that may inhibit bacterial growth and promote bone tissue regeneration.…”