An Injectable, Dual-Curing Hydrogel for Controlled Bioactive Release in Regenerative Endodontics

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2025

Publisher

MDPI

Source Publication

Journal of Composites Science

Source ISSN

2504-477X

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.3390/jcs9080424

Abstract

Regenerative endodontics seeks to restore the vascularized pulp–dentin complex following conventional root canal therapy, yet reliable neovascularization within the constrained root canal remains a key challenge. This study investigates the development of an injectable, dual-curing hydrogel based on methacrylated decellularized amniotic membrane (dAM-MA) and compares its performance to a conventional gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). The dAM-MA platform was designed for biphasic release, incorporating both free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for an initial burst and matrix-metalloproteinase-cleavable VEGF conjugates for sustained delivery. The dAM-MA hydrogel achieved shape-fidelity via thermal gelation at 37 °C and possessed tunable stiffness (0.5–7.8 kPa) after visible-light irradiation. While showing high cytocompatibility comparable to GelMA (>125% hDPSC viability), the dAM-MA platform markedly outperformed the control in promoting endothelial tube formation (up to 800 µm total length; 42 branch points at 96 h). The biphasic VEGF release from dAM-MA matched physiological injury kinetics, driving both early chemotaxis and late vessel maturation. These results demonstrate that dAM-MA hydrogels combine native extracellular matrix complexity with practical, dual-curing injectability and programmable VEGF kinetics, offering a promising scaffold for minimally invasive pulp–dentin regeneration.

Comments

Journal of  Composites Science, Vol. 9, No. 8 (August 2025). DOI
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