title: Role of mast cells in wound healing process after glass-fiber composite implant in rats.
abstract: Glass-fiber composites are frequently used in dentistry. In order to evaluate their biocompatibility we tested, in an experimental model "in vivo", their tissue response pointing our attention on presence of mast cells (MCs) and fibrotic process. Sprague Dawley rats were used for the experimental design. The fibers were introduced in a subcutaneous pocket along the middle dorsal line between the two scapulas for 7, 14 or 21 days. At the end of the treatments the skins were excised and then processed for Toluidine Blue, to determine the presence of MCs, and Picrosirius Red staining, to evaluate the presence of fibrotic tissue. Our preliminary results showed and increase of both MC number and deposition of collagen type I, which characterized the fibrotic tissue. So, subsequent aims of our study were to evaluate the role played by MCs in tissue fibrosis and to give a possible explanation regarding the mechanisms that were responsible of biological response observed, through the analyses of some proteins, such as metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), its inhibitor (TIMP-2) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Our data confirmed the involvement of TGF-beta, released by MCs, in the disruption of the equilibrium between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 that were implicated in the enhancement of fibrosis. In summary, this study demonstrate that this type of materials induced an inflammatory response at the site of implant and help to clarify what type of mechanism and which proteins are involved in this biological response. Nevertheless, more extensive investigations are in progress to better evaluate the inflammatory process.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rodella
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rezzani
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buffoli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonomini
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tengattini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laffranchi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paganelli
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sapelli
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005355:Fibrosis; D005898:Glass; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D003188:Composite Resins; D015921:Dental Implants; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C009753:fiberglass; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2