Regeneration of periodontal Ruffini endings in adults and neonates

Surface functionalization of TiO2 nanotubes with minocycline and its in vitro biological effects on Schwann cells

Background

Minocycline has been widely used in central nervous system disease. However, the effect of minocycline on the repairing of nerve fibers around dental implants had not been previously investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of using minocycline for the repairing of nerve fibers around dental implants by investigating the effect of minocycline on the proliferation of Schwann cells and secretion of neurotrophic factors nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in vitro.

Methods

TiO₂ nanotubes were fabricated on the surface of pure titanium via anodization at the voltage of 20, 30, 40 and 50 V. The nanotubes structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and examined with an optical contact angle. Then drug loading capability and release behavior were detected in vitro. The TiO₂ nanotubes loaded with different concentration of minocycline were used to produce conditioned media with which to treat the Schwann cells. A cell counting kit-8 assay and cell viability were both selected to study the proliferative effect of the specimens on Schwann cell. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were used to detect the related gene/protein expression of Schwann cells.

Results

The results showed that the diameter of TiO₂ nanotubes at different voltage varied from 100 to 200 nm. The results of optical contact angle and releasing profile showed the nanotubes fabricated at the voltage of 30 V met the needs of the carrier of minocycline. In addition, the TiO₂ nanotubes loaded with the concentration of 20 μg/mL minocycline increased Schwann cells proliferation and secretion of neurotrophic factors in vitro.

Conclusions

The results suggested that the surface functionalization of TiO₂ nanotubes with minocycline was a promising candidate biomaterial for the peripheral nerve regeneration around dental implants and has potential to be applied in improving the osseoperception of dental implant.

Twins with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IV with preserved periodontal sensation

Turkish twin brothers affected with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IV (HSAN IV) are reported. Their clinical findings were generally typical for HSAN IV. Interestingly they both had preserved periodontal sensation. Mutation analysis of the NTRK1 gene showed a homozygous c.2001C>T substitution in exon 15 in both twins. This base substitution is predicted to change a polar, positively charged amino acid arginine to the highly active amino acid cystein at position 654 (p.Arg654Cys). The parents were heterozygous for the mutation. This mutation has been reported previously in one Japanese and one Arab patients. The preserved periodontal sensation has not previously been reported in patients affected with HSAN IV. This preserved sensation in our patients might have been through Ruffini endings, the periodontal mechanoreceptors which have been reported to be present in TrkA knockout mice. Here we report the first twins affected with HSAN IV and the observation that periodontal sensation is not affected by mutation in NTRK1.

Effect of implant surface microtopography on proliferation, neurotrophin secretion, and gene expression of Schwann cells

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different implant surface properties on the morphology, proliferation, neurotrophin secretion, and gene expression of Schwann cells. Four types of implant surfaces, including ground (smooth surface), sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA), hydroxyapatite-coated (HA), and titanium plasma spray (TPS) surfaces were fabricated and photographed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Schwann cells derived from neonatal rats were cultured on the implant surfaces and assessed via SEM observation and methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. The secretions and mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real time RT-PCR, respectively, on days 3 and 7. Tissue culture plastic was used as a control. The results demonstrated that Schwann cells exhibited typical bipolar spindle morphology on various surfaces, and proliferated faster than the control. Neurotrophin secretion and gene expression of both BDNF and NGF were also increased by implant surfaces. This study suggests that the function of Schwann cells can be enhanced by implant implants.

Biocompatibility of Nano-TiO2/HA Bioceramic Coating for Nerve Regeneration around Dental Implants

Sensory perception thresholds of implants were much higher than those of natural teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of TiO2/HA-biocoated dental implants for nerve regeneration using cultured Schwann cells. The nano-TiO2/HA composite bioceramic coating was developed on the surfaces of commercially pure titanium discs by sol-gel route, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using smooth titanium discs as a control, Schwann cell responses to the coating were evaluated by SEM, MTT assay, total protein content and leakage of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. In addition, the amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) secreted by Schwann cells was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). It was observed that the coating had fine crystallites and homogeneous micropores in the diameter of 5-10 um. The cell morphology, proliferation and function were unaffected. The results indicate that the TiO2/HA bioceramic coating developed on the surface of pure titanium by sol-gel route had good biocompatibility with Schwann cells for nerve regeneration around dental implants.

Schwann cell graft: A method to promote sensory responses of osseointegrated implants

Osseointegrated dental implants have been widely used in clinics to restore the missing teeth of patients. Since there are no periodontal ligament and associated Ruffini endings in the peri-implant tissues, sensory thresholds of the implant are much higher than those of natural teeth, and its self-protective reflex is quit poor. Implant fracture or aggressive bone loss sometimes occurs because the patient cannot feel the overloads exerted on the implant. Until now, no available method has been issued to solve such a problem. Schwann cell is the glial cell of peripheral nerve system. It has been widely accepted to play indispensable roles during neural development and regeneration. Its mechanism includes forming Büngner's band, producing neurotrophic factors, synthesizing surface cell adhesion molecules, and elaborating basement membrane. Furthermore, Schwann cell is quite important for the periodontal Ruffini endings. Applying these functions of Schwann cells, we put forward a hypothesis that transplanting Schwann cells into the implant site can be a method to promote sensory responses of the dental implants.