Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger involved in the dental regeneration. However, efficient long‐lasting delivery of cAMP that is sufficient to mimic the in vivo microenvironment remains a major challenge. Here, cAMP was loaded in stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) using layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly with gelatin and alginate polyelectrolytes (LBL‐cAMP‐SCAPs). LBL‐cAMP‐SCAPs expressed cAMP and increased the phosphorylation level of cAMP‐response element‐binding protein (CREB) which were evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blotting (WB). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated that a sustained release of cAMP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were present up to 14 days. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) found LBL‐coated SCAPs exhibited a spheroid‐like morphology. CCK8 and live/dead staining showed that LBL treatment had no significant effect on cell proliferation and viability. LBL‐cAMP‐SCAPs enhanced mineralized nodule formation and up‐regulated the mRNA levels of the osteogenesis‐related genes, as well as related transcription factor‐2 protein level which were revealed by Alizarin red staining, RT‐PCR and WB, respectively. In conclusion, LBL self‐assembly loaded with cAMP promoted the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of SCAPs, thereby providing a potential strategy for bioactive molecular delivery in dental regeneration.