Culture of primary human gingival fibroblasts on biodegradable membranes.

Repair and regeneration of periodontal tissues by tissue engineering is dependent on the use of biodegradable polymer scaffolds which serve as a carrier for cells or bioactive substances. There is a need to understand how a specific biomaterial may influence gene expression. The aim of this investigation was to develop and to optimize an in vitro technique for the adherance and proliferation of primary human gingivaL cells on implantable and biodegradable matrices.

Immunohistological and morphometric analysis of inflammatory cells in rapidly progressive periodontitis and adult periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to localize, characterize, and quantify in situ the inflammatory cells in the gingival connective tissue prior and subsequent to the initial therapy of ten patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) and five patients with adult periodontitis (AP). Using immunohistological techniques, the amount of T lymphocytes, alphabeta-T lymphocytes, gammadelta-T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and plasma cells was determined at the beginning of the periodontal therapy (baseline) and at the time of periodontal surgery. Furthermore, the distribution of collagen types I, III, V, and VI was investigated using transmission electron microscopy.

Perspectives in the biological function, the technical and therapeutic application of bone morphogenetic proteins.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of growth and differentiation factors and have been characterized by their ability to induce new bone formation in ectopic (non-skeletal) sites. BMPs are secreted molecules and are key regulators in early embryogenesis and organogenesis. One of the many functions of BMPs is to induce cartilage, bone, and connective tissue formation in vertebrates.

Infection of primary human gingival fibroblasts by Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia.

Adhesion and penetration of clinical isolates of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia in human gingival fibroblast monolayers were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fibroblasts were cultured from biopsies of human healthy gingiva. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia were isolated from patients with periodontitis.