Effects of DynaMatrix on Angiogenic Cytokine and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression from Human Endothelial Cells: An In-vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction: Regenerative endodontics (RE) is a treatment alternative for the infected immature tooth to establish an environment in the canal that enables continued root development and the growth of pulp or pulp-like tissue within the canal. A scaffold created in the canal encourages the formation of vital tissue. The porcine sub-intestinal-submucosa (SIS) membrane, Dynamatrix®, has the potential to serve as an endodontic scaffold. Research at Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) has shown that Dynamatrix® can support the growth of human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSC) and human pulp fibroblasts (HPF). Positive angiogenic cytokine profiles were seen after these cells were seeded on Dynamatrix®. Endothelial cells play an important role in the formation of blood vessels and are a source of angiogenic cytokines. Exposure of these cells to DynaMatrix® may result in a positive angiogenic profile for both cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Objective: The aim of this in-vitro study was to investigate if the exposure of human endothelial cells to the DynaMatrix® membrane would result in differences in the expression of cytokines and MMPs that play roles in angiogenesis. Materials and Methods: Human endothelial cells (HUVECs) were obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATTC, Manassas, VA) and used in this study. Groups were established as follows: (a) Group 1: HUVECs seeded in culture media only, (b) Group 2: DynaMatrix® membrane incubated alone in the serum-media without any cells, and (c) Group 3: HUVECs seeded on DynaMatrix® membranes. After 72 hours of incubation, the conditioned media were collected and analyzed for the expression of 20 angiogenic cytokines and MMPs utilizing cytokine and MMP protein arrays. The density of each cytokine and MMP expressed was measured, averaged, and statistically analyzed by ANOVA. Results: Exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to the DynaMatrix® membrane resulted in a positive angiogenic profile for both cytokines and MMPs. Conclusion: This work furthers the evidence for the potential of DynaMatrix® to serve as a more predictable scaffold in RE.