Regeneration potential of decellularized periodontal ligament cell sheets combined with 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2nanoparticles in a rat periodontal defect.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by loss of attachment and destruction of the periodontium. Decellularized sheet as an advanced tissue regeneration engineering biomaterial has been researched and applied in many fields, but its effects on periodontal regeneration remain unclear. In this study, the biological properties of the decellularized human periodontal ligament cell (dHPDLC) sheets were evaluated in vitro. Polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GE) nanofibers were fabricated as a carrier to enhance the mechanical strength of the dHPDLC sheet. 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2(15d-PGJ2) nanoparticles were added for anti-inflammation and regeneration improvement. For in vivo analysis, dHPDLC sheets combined with 15d-PGJ2nanoparticles, with or without PCL/GE were implanted into rat periodontal defects. The periodontal regeneration effects were identified by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and histological staining, and immunohistochemistry. The results revealed DNA content was removed by 96.6%. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) preserved but reduced. The expressions or distribution of collagen I and fibronectin were similar between dHPDLC and non-decellularized cell sheets. The dHPDLC sheets maintained an intact structure of the extracellular matrix. It could be recellularized by allogeneic human periodontal stem ligament cells (PDLSCs) and retained osteoinductive potential. Newly formed bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament (PDL) were observed in dHPDLC sheets combined with 15d-PGJ2groups with or without PCL/GE nanofibers on 4 weeks post-operation in vivo. Taking together, this new construct of dHPDLC sheets can be a potential candidate for periodontal regeneration in an inflammatory environment of oral cavity.