Covalent Decoration of Cortical Membranes with Graphene Oxide as a Substrate for Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to optimize, through a cheap and facile protocol, the covalent functionalization of graphene oxide (GO)-decorated cortical membrane (Lamina®) in order to promote the adhesion, the growth and the osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs (Dental Pulp Stem Cells); (2) Methods: GO-coated Laminas were fully characterized by Scannsion Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analyses. In vitro analyses of viability, membrane integrity and calcium phosphate deposition were performed; (3) Results: The GO-decorated Laminas demonstrated an increase in the roughness of Laminas, a reduction in toxicity and did not affect membrane integrity of DPSCs; and (4) Conclusions: The GO covalent functionalization of Laminas was effective and relatively easy to obtain. The homogeneous GO coating obtained favored the proliferation rate of DPSCs and the deposition of calcium phosphate.

Keywords

• graphene oxide
• covalent functionalization
• cortical membranes
• calcium phosphate deposition