SBA-15 Mesoporous Silica as Delivery Vehicle for rhBMP-2 Bone Morphogenic Protein for Dental Applications
Dimitrios Gkiliopoulos, Ioannis Tsamesidis, Anna Theocharidou, Georgia K. Pouroutzidou, Evi Christodoulou, Evangelia Stalika, Konstantinos Xanthopoulos, Dimitrios Ν. Bikiaris, Konstantinos S. Triantafyllidis, Eleana Kontonasaki
Abstract
(1) Background: A proposed approach to promote periodontal tissue regeneration in cases of peri-implantitis is the local administration of growth factors at the implant site. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rh-BMP-2) can effectively promote bone regeneration and osseointegration and the development of appropriate carriers for its delivery is of paramount importance. The aim of the present study was to develop SBA-15 mesoporous nanoparticles (MSNs) with varying porosity, evaluate their biocompatibility with human Periodontal Ligament Cells (hPDLCs) and to investigate their effectiveness as carriers of rh-BMP-2. (2) Methods: SBA-15 type mesoporous silicas were synthesized via sol–gel reaction. The calcined SBA-15 samples were characterized by N2 porosimetry, Fourier transform–infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Scanning (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Rh-BMP-2 loading and release kinetics were evaluated by UV spectroscopy. (3) Results: MSNs presented hexagonally arranged, tubular pores of varying length and diameter. Slightly higher loading capacity was achieved for SBA-15 with large pores that presented good hemocompatibility. MTT assay revealed no cytotoxic effects for all the tested materials, while SBA-15 with large pores induced a significant upregulation of cell viability at day 5. (4) Conclusions: SBA-15 MSNs may prove a valuable delivery platform towards the effective release of bone-inducing proteins.