Anti-inflammatory cerium-containing nano-scaled mesoporous bioactive glass for promoting regenerative capability of dental pulp cells

AimsThis study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and odontoblastic effects of cerium-containing mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (Ce-MBGNs) on dental pulp cells as novel pulp-capping agents.MethodologyCe-MBGNs were synthesized using a post-impregnation strategy based on the antioxidant properties of Ce ions and proposed the first use of Ce-MBGNs for pulp-capping application. The biocompatibility of Ce-MBGNs was analysed using the CCK-8 assay and apoptosis detection. Additionally, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability of Ce-MBGNs was measured using the 2,7-Dichlorofuorescin Diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe. The anti-inflammatory effect of Ce-MBGNs on THP-1 cells was further investigated using flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Moreover, the effect of Ce-MBGNs on the odontoblastic differentiation of the dental pulp cells (DPCs) was assessed by combined scratch assays, RT-qPCR, western blotting, immunocytochemistry, Alizarin Red S staining and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase staining. Analytically, the secretions of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsCe-MBGNs were confirmed to effectively scavenge ROS in THP-1-derived macrophages and DPCs. Flow cytometry and RT-qPCR assays revealed that Ce-MBGNs significantly inhibited the M1 polarization of macrophages (M phi). Furthermore, the protein levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta were downregulated in THP-1-derived macrophages after stimulation with Ce-MBGNs. With a step-forward virtue of promoting the odontoblastic differentiation of DPCs, we further confirmed that Ce-MBGNs could regulate the formation of a conductive immune microenvironment with respect to tissue repair in DPCs, which was mediated by macrophages.ConclusionsCe-MBGNs protected cells from self-produced oxidative damage and exhibited excellent immunomodulatory and odontoblastic differentiation effects on DPCs. As a pulp-capping agent, this novel biomaterial can exert anti-inflammatory effects and promote restorative dentine regeneration in clinical treatment. We believe that this study will stimulate further correlative research on the development of advanced pulp-capping agents.