BEHAVIOR OF FIBROBLASTS DURING INITIAL ATTACHMENT TO A GLASS-CERAMIC IMPLANT MATERIAL IN-VITRO - A TIME-LAPSE VIDEO-MICROGRAPHIC STUDY

The in vitro behaviour of 3T3 fibroblasts plated on a glass-ceramic im plant material, Apoceram, and on tissue culture polystyrene (TCP) was monitored using phase-contrast, time-lapse video microscopy and scanni ng electron microscopy. Significant differences were observed in the s hort-term cellular response to TCP and Apoceram in the timing of the f ibroblasts' morphological changes, with earlier spreading and stabiliz ation of the cells occurring on TCP. Cell surface ruffling activity wa s greater on the glass-ceramic, reflecting weaker adhesions to the sub stratum. The experimental method used facilitates direct analysis of t he dynamic activity of cells attaching to artificial substrata.