Calcium hydroxyapatite @ polydopamine core-shell microspheres for photothermal regulation of human gingival fibroblast behavior

Gingival recession, a common oral problem, often results in functional complications and aesthetic imperfections. Calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres, known for their fibroblast-activating properties, have been used for facial tissue augmentation. The photothermal conversion effect, which uses near-infrared (NIR) light to generate mild thermal stimuli, has been shown to enhance cellular activity and accelerate wound healing. In the current study, core-shell structured calcium hydroxyapatite @ polydopamine (HA@PDA) microspheres with biocompatibility and photothermal efficacy were synthesized to improve the treatment of gingival recession. Cellular experiments demonstrated that the behavior of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and the polarization of macrophages are modulated by HA@PDA microspheres through photothermal conversion under 808 nm NIR irradiation. The implications of these findings suggest that photothermal HA@PDA microspheres may serve as a promising modality for gingival augmentation, offering a safe, non-invasive, effective, and sustainable treatment strategy. [Display omitted] •Combining HA@PDA microspheres with photothermal conversion offers a novel treatment for gingival recession.•Mild thermal stimulation generated by photothermal conversion of HA@PDA promotes macrophage M2 polarization.•Photothermal modulation by HA@PDA regulates HGFs proliferation, migration, ECM-related gene expression, and COL1 production.