Preparation of biomimetic textured membranes for periodontal regeneration

Abstract

Untreated periodontal disease may result in destruction of soft and hard tissue components newlineof the periodontium, eventually leading to loss of tooth. Over decades, clinicians have newlinebeen treating the loss of tissue support by using surgical tissue regenerating strategies such newlineas guided tissue regeneration (GTR) for regeneration of lost periodontal apparatus and newlineguided bone regeneration (GBR) for regeneration of insufficient alveolar bone. Guided newlineregeneration involves the placement of a barrier membrane to exclude migration of newlineepithelium and ensure repopulation of periodontal ligament cells. However, currently newlineavailable GTR/GBR membranes only prevent epithelial migration and do not interact with newlinethe surrounding tissues. Over the years several research groups have attempted to develop newlinebarrier membranes with biological activity. Surface topographical properties have been newlinefound to critical for cellular responses. Several topographic cues already exist in the nature newlineranging from macro to the nano scale, designed to serve an optimum function. newlineThe objective of this research was to prepare biomimetic textured membranes for guided newlineregeneration of the periodontal tissues. All membranes with biomimetic textured surfaces newlinewere prepared with commercially available chitosan. Membranes were prepared inspired newlineby the natural sponge, honeycomb and teak (Tectona grandis) leaf surface. In all, newlinemembranes with the biomimetic surface texture of five different types were fabricated. newlineChitosan membrane without any regular surface pattern (NPS) was fabricated by a simple newlinesolvent casting method, which served as the control for comparison. Membranes with newlinemicroporous (MiPS) and macroporous (MaPS) surfaces were fabricated inspired from the newlineporous surface of the natural sponge by using a porogen (Camphene) and freeze-drying newlinemethods respectively. Membrane with a hexagonal textured surface (HEX) was fabricated newlineinspired by the hexagonal arrangement of honeycomb by a vapour-freeze method. newlineMembranes with a negatively replicated surface with micro-depres