Developement of new induction method for promoting pulp calcification using glycated collagen

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21063
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Sugiyama Keita 大阪大学, 歯学部附属病院, 医員 (70910800)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: AGEs / 糖化コラーゲン / 異栄養性石灰化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed by Maillard reactions, non-enzymatic reactions between proteins and sugars in human body. They have been reported to enhance biological calcification and pathological factors of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. We have already shown that glycated collagen-containing AGEs promote calcification on cultured rat dental pulp cells（RDPCs) (Sugiyama et al. Oral Dis. 2021). To further elucidate the mechanism, we applied glycated gelatin sponge as a capping material on maxillary molars of 8-week-old male SD rats. In the glycated collagen group, tertiary dentin was thicker and denser. Calcified tissues formed with some necrotic cell debris. These results suggest that glycated gelatin sponge containing AGEs may lead to formation of hard tissue through a new calcification mechanism associated with dystrophic calcification.

Free Research Field

歯髄生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

AGEsを含む糖化ゼラチンスポンジによる歯髄細胞の石灰化促進のメカニズムはオステオポンチンの発現にみられる、象牙芽細胞への分化と増殖の促進が主体ではなかった。糖化ゼラチンスポンジはスキャフォールドとして自ら石灰沈着を引き起こし、周囲の歯髄細胞への壊死を誘導しつつ、非炎症性に異栄養性石灰化を促進した。
この石灰化メカニズムの解明は、糖とゼラチンから作製される生体由来材料が、現在までの主流である生物学的活性を介した石灰化機構とは別のメカニズムで、より短期間で効率よく、安全に硬組織を誘導する可能性を示唆した。