Potential of Trilayered Gelatin/Polycaprolactone Nanofibers for Periodontal Regeneration: An In Vitro Study.

Over the past few years, biomaterial-based periodontal tissue engineering has gained popularity. An ideal biomaterial for treating periodontal defects is expected to stimulate periodontal-derived cells, allowing them to contribute most efficiently to tissue reconstruction. The present study focuses on evaluating the in vitro behavior of human periodontal ligament-derived stromal cells (hPDL-MSCs) when cultured on gelatin/Polycaprolactone prototype (GPP) and volume-stable collagen matrix (VSCM). Cells were cultured onto the GPP, VSCM, or tissue culture plate (TCP) for 3, 7, and 14 days. Cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation/viability, the gene expression of Collagen type I, alpha1 (COL1A1), Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), Periostin (POSTN), Cementum protein 1 (CEMP1), Cementum attachment protein (CAP), Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and Osteocalcin (OCN), and the levels of VEGF-A and IL-8 proteins were investigated. hPDL-MSCs attached to both biomaterials exhibited a different morphology compared to TCP. GPP exhibited stronger capabilities in enhancing cell viability and metabolic activity compared to VSCM. In most cases, the expression of all investigated genes, except POSTN, was stimulated by both materials, with GPP having a superior effect on COL1A1 and VEGF-A, and VSCM on OCN. The IL-8 protein production was slightly higher in cells grown on VSCM. GPP also exhibited the ability to absorb VEGF-A protein. The gene expression of POSTN was promoted by GPP and slightly suppressed by VSCM. In summary, our findings indicate that GPP electrospun nanofibers effectively promote the functional performance of PDLSCs in periodontal regeneration, particularly in the periodontal ligament and cementum compartment.