A simple cell motility assay demonstrates differential motility of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts, gingival fibroblasts, and pre-osteoblasts.
During periodontal regeneration, multiple cell types can invade the wound site, thereby leading to repair. Cell motility requires interactions mediated by integrin receptors for the extracellular matrix (ECM), which might be useful in guiding specific cell populations into the periodontal defect. Our data demonstrate that fibroblasts exhibit differential motility when grown on ECM proteins. Specifically, gingival fibroblasts are twice as motile as periodontal ligament fibroblasts, whereas osteoblasts are essentially non-motile. Collagens promote the greatest motility of gingival fibroblasts in the following order: collagen III>collagen V>collagen I. Differences in motility do not correlate with cell proliferation or integrin expression. Osteoblasts display greater attachment to collagens than does either fibroblast population, but lower motility. Gingival fibroblast motility on collagen I is generally mediated by alpha2 integrins, whereas motility on collagen III involves alpha1 integrins. Other integrins (alpha10 or alpha11) may also contribute to gingival fibroblast motility. Thus, ECM proteins do indeed differentially promote the cell motility of periodontal cells. Because of their greater motility, gingival fibroblasts have more of a potential to invade periodontal wound sites and to contribute to regeneration. This finding may explain the formation of disorganized connective tissue masses rather than the occurrence of the true regeneration of the periodontium.
Lallier
Thomas E
TE
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Center of Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA. tlalli@lsuhsc.edu
Miner
Quinton W
QW
Sonnier
Jackie
J
Spencer
Amber
A
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003260:Contact Inhibition; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D016023:Integrins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D003094:Collagen