title: In vitro models of periodontal cells: a comparative study of long-term gingival, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone cell cultures in the presence of beta-glycerophosphate and dexamethasone.
abstract: Human gingival (HG), periodontal ligament (HPL) and alveolar bone (HAB) cells (first subculture) were cultured (10(4) cells/cm2) for 35 days in alpha-Minimal Essential Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum in the presence of (i) ascorbic acid (AA, 50 microg/mL), (ii) AA + beta-glycerophosphate (betaGP, 10 mM) and (iii) AA + betaGP + dexamethasone (Dex, 10 nM). Cultures were assessed for cell attachment and spreading, cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities and matrix mineralization. HG cell cultures presented a high proliferation rate, a low ability to synthesize ALP and ACP and the formation of a non-mineralized extracellular matrix, regardless the experimental situation. HPL cell cultures were very sensitive to the culture conditions and showed a high proliferation rate, synthesis of moderate levels of ALP and ACP and a modest matrix mineralization in the presence of AA + betaGP + Dex. HAB cell cultures presented a growth rate lower than that of HG and HPL cells, a high ALP activity and comparatively low levels of ACP, and the ready formation of a heavy mineralized matrix in the presence of betaGP. In the three periodontal cell cultures, Dex enhanced cell proliferation and expression of osteoblastic markers. Results showed that betaGP and Dex allowed the modulation of the cell proliferation/differentiation behavior within the proposed physiological and regenerative capabilities of these periodontal cells.
authors.affiliation: FMDUP - Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, 4200-393 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina Trigo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Maria Adelina
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C020243:calcium phosphate; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase