Postdoctoral Research Fellow Hong Kong Institute of Sciences & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, United States
Abstract: Periodontitis, affecting approximately 10% of the global population, is a plaque-induced inflammatory condition of the periodontium caused by pathogenic bacterial biofilms adhering to tooth surfaces. Current management strategies, including surgical procedures (e.g., root furcation treatment) and nonsurgical interventions (e.g., mechanical debridement), present significant limitations, such as difficulty accessing deep pockets, inadequate eradication of pathogenic microorganisms, leading to pain and discomfort, and a high rate of recurrence. Thus, there is a pressing need for innovative, minimally invasive, and effective treatment approaches.
Although bacteria are necessary for periodontal disease to occur, a susceptible host is also required. The immune inflammatory response that develops in the gingival and periodontal tissues in response to the chronic presence of plaque bacteria results in the destruction of structural components of the periodontium, ultimately leading to the clinical signs of periodontitis. To address this issue, our study developed a novel hydrogel, termed Q-fCol hydrogel, by functionalizing marine-derived collagen, which resulted in enhanced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Quality assessment indicated that the acid-based extraction protocol successfully purified type I collagen from salmon skin, demonstrating high reproducibility and low endotoxicity. The inflammatory regulation properties were assessed via a cell-based periodontitis model using human gingival keratinocytes and macrophages. The Q-fCol hydrogel significantly shifted macrophage polarization from M1 to M2, indicating its anti-inflammatory potential. The application of Q-fCol resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial viability against Escherichia Coli and Porphyromonas Gingivalis.
In conclusion, the Q-fCol hydrogel represents a promising, safe, and cost-effective treatment strategy for periodontitis, with substantial potential for clinical application.
