Enhancing Effects of Immobilized Chondroitin Sulfate on Odontogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Reparative Dentin Formation

Introduction Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a major proteoglycan involved in the mineralization of the organic matrix of dentin. In this study, the roles of CS immobilized in cross-linked collagen I (Col I) hydrogels on odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and reparative dentin formation were investigated. Methods Different concentrations of CS were incorporated into the genipin–cross-linked Col I hydrogels (CS-0.05, CS-0.1, and CS-0.2, respectively). The influences of CS on the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs were investigated. Finally, the effect of the functionalized hydrogel on the formation of reparative dentin was analyzed in a rat pulp capping model in vivo . Results CS improved the proliferation of DPSCs seeded on the hydrogels ( P  < .05). CS also enhanced the mineralization activities and increased the expression levels of the odontogenic-related proteins of DPSCs on days 7 and 14 ( P  < .05). In vivo , CS-0.1 hydrogel induced reparative dentin formation with higher quality compared with mineral trioxide aggregate . Conclusions CS immobilized in Col I hydrogels could induce odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs in vitro and promote homogeneous mineralized barrier formation in vivo . CS–Col I hydrogel has the potential for reparative dentin formation of high quality in direct pulp capping.