Focal adhesion linker proteins expression of fibroblast related to adhesion in response to different transmucosal abutment surfaces.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate adherence of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) to transmucosal abutment of dental implant with different surface conditions with time and to investigate the roles of focal adhesion linker proteins (FALPs) involved in HGFs adhesion to abutment surfaces.


METHODS
Morphologies of cultured HGFs on titanium and ceramic discs with different surface were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Biocompatibility and focal adhesion were evaluated by ultrasonic wave application and cell viability assay. FALPs expression levels were assessed by RT-PCR and western blot.


RESULTS
There seemed to be little difference in biocompatibility and adhesion strength of HGFs depending on the surface conditions and materials. In all experimental groups, the number of cells remaining on the disc surface after ultrasonic wave application increased more than 2 times at 3 days after seeding compared to 1-day cultured cells and this continued until 7 days of culture. FALPs expression levels, especially of vinculin and paxillin, also increased in 5-day cultured cells compared to 1-day cultured fibroblasts on the disc surface.


CONCLUSIONS
These results might suggest that the strength of adhesion of fibroblasts to transmucosal abutment surfaces increases with time and it seemed to be related to expressions of FALPs.
Dental Science Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Yeon-Hee
YH
Moon
Mi-Kyeong
MK
Yoon
Jung-Sun
JS
Moon
Jee-Hae
JH
Kang
Sun-Hun
SH
Kim
Hong-Seo
HS
Yang
Min-Seok
MS
Kim
Adhesion; Focal adhesion linker proteins; Gingival fibroblast; Transmucosal abutment