Cell sprouting and colonization in platelet lysate-functionalized hydrogels for peri-implant bone regeneration

Abstract

Peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition affecting dental implants, can pose challenges both in terms of efficacy and long-term success and in some cases lead to the loss of dental implants due to loss of surrounding bone. No optimal treatment approach is yet found as there is still limitations in promoting bone repair and regeneration. New strategies are therefore needed to facilitate bone regeneration and to reverse the loss of supportive peri-implantitis tissue. There is an increasing interest on investigating therapeutic treatments that can promote cell sprouting and colonization of biomaterials. One such approach is injectable calcium phosphate-hydrogel composites modified with platelet lysate (PL). These composites can replicate the properties found in bone and give an optimal microenvironment which can promote cell recruitment and initiate bone formation. PL can deliver growth factors, chemo-attractants, calcium and phosphate ions which are vital for the regenerative process. Hereby we studied the effect of the concentration of platelet lysate proteins encapsulated in polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels on cell colonization of the hydrogel matrix. Our aim was to investigate to investigate the effect of the concentration of platelet lysate proteins encapsulated in polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels on cell colonization of the hydrogel matrix. For this we used hydrogels with different PL concentrations. Results showed that cell colonization is visible with higher PL concentration, however the RGD peptide is essential. The findings suggest that the combination of PL and RGD in hydrogels have the potential to be an effective assist in cell migration. However, it is difficult to give any firm conclusions, further investigations should be done.