Development of Bi- and Tri-Layer Nanofibrous Membranes Based on the Sulfated Polysaccharide Carrageenan for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration
Stefanos Kikionis,
Konstantina Iliou,
Aikaterini G. Karra,
Georgios Polychronis,
Ioannis Choinopoulos,
Hermis Iatrou,
George Eliades,
Efthymia Kitraki,
Ioulia Tseti,
Spiros Zinelis,
Efstathia Ioannou,
Vassilios Roussis
Affiliations
Stefanos Kikionis
Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Konstantina Iliou
Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Aikaterini G. Karra
Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Georgios Polychronis
Department of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Ioannis Choinopoulos
Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Hermis Iatrou
Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
George Eliades
Department of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Efthymia Kitraki
Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Department of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Efstathia Ioannou
Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Vassilios Roussis
Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Periodontitis is a microbially-induced inflammation of the periodontium that is characterized by the destruction of the periodontal ligament (PDL) and alveolar bone and constitutes the principal cause of teeth loss in adults. Periodontal tissue regeneration can be achieved through guided tissue/bone regeneration (GTR/GBR) membranes that act as a physical barrier preventing epithelial infiltration and providing adequate time and space for PDL cells and osteoblasts to proliferate into the affected area. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds, simulating the natural architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM), have attracted increasing attention in periodontal tissue engineering. Carrageenans are ideal candidates for the development of novel nanofibrous GTR/GBR membranes, since previous studies have highlighted the potential of carrageenans for bone regeneration by promoting the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts. Herein, we report the development of bi- and tri-layer nanofibrous GTR/GBR membranes based on carrageenans and other biocompatible polymers for the regeneration of periodontal tissue. The fabricated membranes were morphologically characterized, and their thermal and mechanical properties were determined. Their periodontal tissue regeneration potential was investigated through the evaluation of cell attachment, biocompatibility, and osteogenic differentiation of human PDL cells seeded on the prepared membranes.
