This work investigates the differentiation in the absence of chemical induction, mechanical stimuli and only resulting from the stimuli of the substrate chemistry. We chose enzymatically cross-linked gelatin hydrogels substrates of different stiffness varying from 8KPa to 100Pa.  DPSCs were cultured on the substrates for 7, 14 and 21 days with and without dexamethasone induction media. SEM and EDX analysis after 21 days indicate that cells produced a sheet of biomineralized deposits, several tenths of mm thick irrespective of substrate stiffness and chemical induction. Modulli of the cells was also independent of the induction and stiffness of the hydrogels. RT-PCR assays indicated that cells expressed more osteocalcin when cultured in non-induction media and harder substrate. Further experiments indicated that conformational change due to the crosslinking of gelatin could be the reason for biomineralization.

Differentiation and biomineralization of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) on the cross-linked gelatin hydrogels for bone regeneration

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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