Enamel matrix derivative exhibits angiogenic effect in vitro and in a murine model.
OBJECTIVE
Angiogenesis is one of the most critical events in the wound healing process. Any increase in angiogenesis could result in more rapid and complete healing. A recent study found that enamel matrix derivative (EMD) could accelerate early periodontal wound healing. We wanted to clarify whether EMD caused an angiogenic effect and, thus, possibly enhanced wound healing.


METHODS
We performed in vitro proliferation and chemotaxis assays on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures, and a tissue culture assay using blood vessel fragments in fibrin gel. Collagen membranes soaked with EMD were implanted subcutaneously in mice to test the in vivo angiogenic effect.


RESULTS
While there were no significant differences between the negative control and EMD groups in the proliferation assay, EMD treatment did exhibit a significantly greater dose-dependent chemotactic effect on HUVEC than control group treatments. The tissue culture in fibrin gel showed new blood vessel outgrowths in the EMD groups, but none in the negative control group. In the animal studies, significantly more endothelial cells were detected in the EMD group of mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that EMD does exhibit some angiogenic effects. However, the underlying molecules and mechanisms are still unidentified. We discuss several possibilities.
Yuan
Kuo
K
Periodontics Division, Department of Dentistry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chen
Chun-Liang
CL
Lin
Ming T
MT
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; C109069:enamel matrix proteins; D003094:Collagen