International Journal of Nanomedicine (Jan 2025)
Enhancing Periodontal Ligament Regeneration via PDLSC Delivery Using Electrospun PCL/Collagen/Cellulose Acetate Scaffolds and Collagen Hydrogel Incorporated with Curcumin-Loaded ZIF-8 Nanoparticles
Abstract
Xiaomin Lan,1,* Yi Wang,2,* Ming Yin3,4 1Department of Stomatology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China; 2Department of Stomatology, The Second People’s Hospital of Taiyuan, Taiyuan, 030002, China; 3Department of Stomatology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China; 4Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ming Yin, Email [email protected]: Regenerating periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue is a vital challenge in dentistry that aims to restore periodontal function and aesthetics. This study explores a tissue engineering strategy that combines polycaprolactone (PCL)/collagen/cellulose acetate electrospun scaffolds with collagen hydrogels to deliver curcumin-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles fand periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).Methods: Scaffolds were fabricated via electrospinningand collagen hydrogels incorporated PDLSCs and curcumin-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles (CURZIF-8) were developed using cross-linking. In vitro assays evaluated biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties. In vivo efficacy was assessed in a rat PDL injury model using histological and ELISA analyses examining tissue regeneration and inflammatory cytokine modulation.Results: In vitro studies demonstrated that the scaffolds effectively supported PDLSC viability and migration. CURZIF-8 hydrogels enhanced anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. In vivo study showed that the combined scaffold-hydrogel system significantly promoted PDL regeneration. Tissue levels of bFGF, HGF, and TGF-β that are crucial for tissue repair, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation were evaluated. Whereas, pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6=were downregulated. Histological analysis confirmed the formation of organized PDL structures and improved bone-cementum integration that arekey indicators of successful periodontal regeneration.Conclusion: The developed scaffold-hydrogel system facilitates PDL regeneration by modulating inflammation and promoting pro-healing factor expression. This approach shows promise for advancing periodontal tissue engineering and warrants further investigation in clinical settings. Keywords: periodontal ligament regeneration, periodontal ligament stem cells, electrospun scaffolds, collagen hydrogel, curcumin, ZIF-8 nanoparticles, tissue engineering
