GROWTH-FACTOR MODULATION OF FIBROBLASTS IN SIMULATED WOUND-HEALING

Growth factors are potent bioactive molecules responsible for the co-o rdination of many cell functions and interactions. Of these agents PDG F and IGF have shown particular promise as agents which may be used to stimulate periodontal regeneration. In order to further understand th e mechanisms by which growth factors may work, a simple model of in vi tro wound healing has been utilized to assess the effects of PDGF on h uman periodontal ligament fibroblasts and its potential to stimulate w ound healing. Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were plated into 24-well plates and upon reaching confluence were wounded by creating u niform discoid lesions stripped of cells. The influence of various con centrations of PDGF on cell proliferation, cell migration and extracel lular matrix synthesis was monitored. The results of this study indica ted that in the presence of 10 ng/ml PDGF and 0.2% fetal calf serum, b oth cell proliferation and cell migration were significantly stimulate d. In the wounded cultures, PDGF appeared to cause a moderate stimulat ion of proteoglycan synthesis compared to unwounded cultures. In concl usion, the model system tested appears to be useful for studying funda mental cellular and biochemical events associated with wound healing. The effects of PDGF in this system confirm that it is capable of modul ating fibroblasts in a manner compatible with the events associated wi th wound repair.