A combination of bioceramics and nanofibrous scaffolds holds promising potential for
inducing of mineralization in connective tissues. The aim of the present study was to
investigate the attachment, proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp
stem cells (DPSC) on poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) nanofibers coated with mineral trioxide
aggregate (MTA). Polymeric scaffolds were fabricated via the electrospinning method
and their surface was coated with MTA. DPSC were isolated from dental pulp and their
biological behavior was evaluated on scaffolds and the control group using MTT assay.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, biomineralization and the expression of odontogenic
genes were analyzed during odontogenic differentiation. Isolated DPSC showed
spindle-shaped morphology with multi-lineage differentiation potential and were positive
for CD73, CD90 and CD105.MTA-coated PLLA (PLLA/MTA) exhibited nanofibrous
structure with average fiber diameter of 756 ± 157 nm and interconnected pores and
also suitable mechanical properties. Similar to MTA, these scaffolds were shown to be
biocompatible and to support the attachment and proliferation of DPSC. ALP activity
transiently peaked on day 14 and was significantly higher in PLLA/MTA scaffolds than
in the control groups. In addition, increasing biomineralization was observed in all groups
with a higher amount in PLLA/MTA. Odontogenic-related genes, DSPP and collagen
type I showed a higher expression in PLLA/MTA on days 21 and 14, respectively. Taken
together, MTA/PLLA electrospun nanofibers enhanced the odontogenic differentiation
of DPSC and showed the desired characteristics of a pulp capping material