Lysophosphatidic Acid signals through specific lysophosphatidic Acid receptor subtypes to control key regenerative responses of human gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Background: We showed that the pluripotent platelet growth factor and mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) controls key regenerative responses of human gingival fibroblasts (GFs) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) and positively modulates their responses to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This study determined which LPA receptor (LPAR) subtype(s) LPA signals through to stimulate mitogenic extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signaling and chemotaxis and to elicit intracellular Ca(2+) increases in GFs and PDLFs because many healing responses are calcium-dependent.

Methods: Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase was determined using Western blotting with an antibody to phosphorylated ERK1/2.

Lysophosphatidic acid modulates the healing responses of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and enhances the actions of platelet-derived growth factor.

Background: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been used to promote healing in many in vitro and in vivo models of periodontal regeneration. PDGF interacts extensively with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). We recently showed that LPA modulates the responses of human gingival fibroblasts to PDGF.