Effect of enamel matrix derivative on human periodontal fibroblasts: proliferation, morphology and root surface colonization. An in vitro study.
BACKGROUND
Several clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of Emdogain(R) (EMD) in promoting tissue regeneration, even though the underlining biological mechanism is still poorly known.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of EMD on the proliferation of human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts and on their colonization and differentiation following contact with the root surface of extracted teeth in vitro.


RESULTS
Fibroblasts from PDL were seeded on Petri dishes and cell growth was evaluated by cell counting in the presence and absence of EMD, after 1, 3 and 8 d of culture. A significant effect of EMD upon cellular proliferation at d 3 and 8 was detected. When PDL cells were grown for 12 d with EMD on etched human root surface, a change in cell morphology was observed. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that cells grown on root EMD-treated surface present a body with a flattened surface closely adherent to the substrate and an outer smooth surface rounded in shape. From the flattened surface some thin and elongated cellular processes connecting with the substrate were also observable. PDL cells grown on EMD-treated surface showed lack of alkaline phosphatase activity, as some authors noticed in cementoblasts in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, our data indicate that EMD enhances human PDL fibroblast proliferation. Furthermore, the cells in the presence of EMD show morphological changes that make them more similar to cementoblasts than to fibroblasts, suggesting a process of cellular differentiation that could play an important role in periodontal tissue repair.
Cattaneo
V
V
Department of Periodontology, S.Matteo Hospital, University of Pavia, Italy.
Rota
C
C
Silvestri
M
M
Piacentini
C
C
Forlino
A
A
Gallanti
A
A
Rasperini
G
G
Cetta
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000187:drug effects*
D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; C109069:enamel matrix proteins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase