Effect of phosphate group on remineralization of early enamel caries regulated by amelogenin peptide.

OBJECTIVE: To show the effect of the phosphate group on the remineralization process of early enamel caries mediated by amelogenin peptide. METHODS: Freshly extracted, completed, and crack-free bovine teeth were used to create artificial early enamel caries, which were randomly divided into four groups: Group A: fluorination remineralized solution treatment group; Group B: pure remineralized solution treatment group. Group C: 100 g/ml recombinant Amelogenin peptide remineralized solution treatment group (with single phosphate group on N-terminus); Group D: 100 g/ml non-phosphorylated recombinant Amelogenin peptide remineralized solution treatment group (without single phosphate group on N-terminus). For 12 days, fresh remineralized solutions were replaced daily. Transverse microradiography (TMR) was used after remineralization to determine mineral loss and demineralization depth before and after each sample's remineralization. Each sample's depth of remineralization and mineral acquisition were then determined. RESULTS: The recombinant amelogenin peptide group significantly outperformed the non-phosphorylated amelogenin peptide group in terms of mineral acquisition and mineralization depth (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant Amelogenin's solitary phosphate group at the N-terminus helps recombinant Amelogenin to encourage the remineralization process of early enamel caries.

Remineralization Efficacy of an Amelogenin-Based Synthetic Peptide on Carious Lesions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralization efficacy of an amelogenin-based peptide on initial enamel carious lesions in vitro. Furthermore, we attempted to provide insights into the possible mechanism of the remineralization, including determining the calcium-binding properties of the peptide and its effects on calcium phosphate mineralization. Methods: The peptide comprising the N-terminus and the C-terminus of porcine amelogenin was synthesized by Synpeptide Co., Ltd. Fifty specimens were randomly assigned to five immersing treatment groups for 12 days: remineralizing medium only; 12.5 µg/mL peptide + remineralizing medium; 25 µg/mL peptide + remineralizing medium; 50 µg/mL peptide + remineralizing medium; fluoride + remineralizing medium. After immersion, mean mineral loss before and after remineralization of each specimen was determined using micro-CT. Mean mineral gain after remineralization was calculated. Calcium binding properties were measured by Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). TEM and Fourier transform-infrared were used to determine the effects of the peptide on calcium phosphate mineralization. Results: A significant decrease in mineral loss after remineralization process in all groups was observed (p < 0.05). Treatment in remineralizing medium resulted in the lowest mineral gain while the fluoridated treatment exhibited the highest mineral gain among all groups. Inclusion of synthetic peptide in the remineralizing medium exhibited a higher mineral gain and the gain of 50 µg/mL group was greater than that of the 25 µg/mL group. No significant difference in mineral gain was observed between the remineralizing medium only group and the 12.5 µg/mL peptide group (p > 0.05). ITC values showed that the Ca2+-binding affinity of the peptide is about 9.914 × 104M-1. Furthermore, the peptide was found to inhibit calcium phosphate precipitation and stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate formation for more than 2 h and finally transform into ordered hydroxyapatite crystals. Conclusion: Specific concentrations of the amelogenin-based synthetic peptide promoted in vitro remineralization, with higher concentrations exhibiting significantly greater remineralization. This study presented evidence suggesting that the peptide may act as a Ca2+carrier as well as a regulating factor. When the stabilizing calcium and phosphorus ions bind with the peptide they become biologically available for the remineralization of deeper carious lesions, while also regulated by the peptide to transform into ordered hydroxyapatite crystals.

Surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals with polymeric ionic liquids during phase transfer.

In this study, the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared by method of acid hydrolysis, while the polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) [PEP-MIM]DBS was synthesized by epichlorohydrin, o-phthalic anhydride as well as N-methylimidazole then anion exchanged by sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. It was demonstrated that [PEP-MIM]DBS could modify CNCs by non-covalent interaction to change its surface properties, such as amphiphilicity. The chemical structure of the composite CNCs/[PEP-MIM]DBS was characterized via FTIR, 13C NMR, TGA, XRD, etc. Moreover, the properties and applications were characterized through a series of dispersion experiments, contact angle tests, FE-SEM, etc. This study showed that the PIL-modification improved the dispersion of CNCs in non-polar organic solvents with their chemical structure integrated.