Potential of an amelogenin based peptide in promoting reminerlization of initial enamel caries

• A novel peptide based on amelogenin was designed and synthesized.
• A classic pH-cycling model was adopted to investigate this peptide.
• This amelogenin-based peptide promotes enamel caries remineralization.
• This peptide shows promising potential for treating enamel caries in clinic.

ObjectiveIn this study we give a preliminary study of a rationally designed small peptide, which is based on the enamel matrix protein amelogenin, to investigate its effect on remineralization of initial enamel caries lesions.DesignA novel peptide was designed and synthesized to investigate its effects on the remineralization of initial enamel carious lesions during pH cycling that simulates intra-oral conditions. Initial lesions were created in bovine enamel blocks, which were then pH-cycled for 12 days in the presence of 25 μM peptide, 1 g/L NaF (positive control), 50 mM HEPES buffer(negative control). Before and after pH cycling, enamel blocks were analyzed by surface microhardness testing, polarized light microscopy and transverse microradiography.ResultsPercentage of surface microhardness recovery (SMHR%) after pH cycling was significantly higher in peptide group than HEPES group. Lower lesion depth and less mineral mineral loss were found in peptide or NaF treatment groups after the cycling, and were significantly different to HEPES group. No significant differences were observed between the blocks treated with peptide and those treated with NaF.ConclussionThis study provides in vitro evidence that this amelogenin based peptide promotes enamel caries remineralization, offering a promising remineralizing biomaterial in initial enamel carious treatment.