Periodontal ligament cells may have a role in the regulation of hard and soft periodontal tissues, but their specific function has not yet to be determined. To evaluate further their role in periodontal regeneration, they were examined for osteoblast-like behavior. Periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts were primarily cultured from extracted premolar with non-periodontal diseases. Cells were cultured with DMEM at 371C, 5% COZ, 100% humidity incubator, and as a measure of cell characterization, it was examined that the growth rate and morphology, cAMP assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and imnaunocytochemistry for osteonectin, osteocalcin, and collagen type I.
Healthy periodontal ligament cells has more osteoblastic-like cell property in cAMP assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, and collagen synthesis than gingival fibroblasts. Immunocytochemistry localization explained that osteocalcin were expressed in periodontal ligament cells only, and osteonectin and type I collagen were produced in both cells simultaneously.
These results indicate that the growth characteristics of periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts exhibit some differences in proliferative rates and biochemical synthesis. The differences may help to calcify the role such cells play in the regeneration of periodontal tissues.
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