title: [Primary culture of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts by explants with enzymatic digestion].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To increase the success rate of primary culture of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF), and to establish an experimental model for studying HPLF in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary cells were isolated from human periodontal ligament by explants with enzymatic digestion method. Morphological analysis and immunocytochemical staining were used to characterize the cell lineage, and growth curve assay to evaluate the biological features of HPLF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success rate of primary culture of HPLF was 77.8%. Cultured cells were spindle-shaped, and had a positive reaction to antibodies against vimentin, and a negative reaction to antibodies against keratin. Their morphological and biological characteristics were similar to those of typical HPLF. Growth of HPLF obtained by this method was satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success rate of primary culture of HPLF is significantly increased by explants combined with enzymatic digestion. The method is simple and feasible.
authors.affiliation: College of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Chu-hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Sheng-gen
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Zhong-ying
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Yan-hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014070:Tooth / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism