Modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated human periodontal ligament cells by chitosan and quaternized chitosan

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan and quaternized chitosan (HTCC) modulate IL-1β and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). MTT assay revealed that chitosan stimulated the proliferation of HPDLCs. However, HTCC inhibited the proliferation of HPDLCs at concentrations of 1000 and 100 μg/mL more than the control, especially after 5 d (P < 0.001). ELISA assay exhibited that chitosan inhibited the production of IL-1β and TNF-α at 24, 48 and 72 h. IL-1β and TNF-α secreted by HPDLCs with LPS and treated with 1000 μg/mL of HTCC significantly increased compared to both the control and the chitosan group (P < 0.001). The bioactive role for bFGF in modulating the responses of HPDLCs cells to LPS via inhibiting IL-1β and TNF-α production was demonstrated. All results were necessary to enhance our understanding of the biomedical properties of chitosan and HTCC for modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators.