Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on human gingival epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Our previous reports found that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2; bFGF) influences the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. In this study, we examined FGF-2 expression in gingival epithelium and the effect of FGF-2 on proliferative responses by gingival epithelial (GE) cells.


METHODS
Human GE cells were isolated from healthy gingival epithelium, and the mRNA expression of FGF-2 and FGF receptors (FGFRs) was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The distribution of FGF-2 in gingival tissues was detected by immunohistological analysis using the monoclonal antibody for human recombinant FGF-2, which was newly established and designated as BF-2. Further, the proliferative responses of GE cells to FGF-2 were investigated by measuring [3H]-thymidine uptake.


RESULTS
RT-PCR revealed that GE cells express FGFR-1, FGFR-2, FGFR-3, and FGFR-4 mRNA; however, not that of FGF-2. Employing immunohistochemical staining with BF-2, FGF-2 was observed localized in the intercellular spaces of gingival epithelium, though not in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. Interestingly, staining by BF-2 in the intercellular spaces was diminished after treatment of the tissue sections with heparitinase. Further, an in vitro analysis revealed that FGF-2 enhanced the proliferative responses of human GE cells. However, costimulation with fetal calf serum inhibited the FGF-2-induced proliferation of GE cells, whereas the same costimulation synergistically enhanced FGF-2-induced PDL cell proliferation.


CONCLUSIONS
FGF-2 is anchored in the intercellular spaces of gingival epithelium via heparansulfate and may regulate the growth and cytodifferentiation of GE cells via cell-type specific receptors.
Takayama
Shin-ichi
S
Department of Periodontology, Division of Oral Biology and Disease Control, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Yoshida
Joji
J
Hirano
Hiroyuki
H
Okada
Hiroshi
H
Murakami
Shinya
S
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000187:drug effects; D011485:Protein Binding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2