Culturing and characterization of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts—a preliminary study

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is believed to harbour cells with the capacity to regenerate the periodontium consisting of the PDL layer and surrounding alveolar bone and cementum. Fibroblast, the predominant cell type, is implicated in PDL tissue regeneration and repair. In this study, PDL fibroblasts (PDLF) from healthy human premolar and molar explants were cultured and characterized in vitro. Protein expression profiles were analysed and compared to gingival fibroblasts (GF) and alveolar bone osteoblasts (OB). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression was higher in all induced cultures. Western blotting showed that all three cell types expressed osteonectin (ON) and osteopontin (OPN). Conversely, bone sialoprotein (BSP II) was down-regulated in PDLF and GF upon induction. Von Kossa staining revealed mineralised matrix for all induced cultures. This study showed the response of PDLF in protein expression, and pointed to its potential application in periodontal regeneration.