EFFECTS OF A FIBRIN-FIBRONECTIN SEALING SYSTEM ON PROLIFERATION AND TYPE-I COLLAGEN-SYNTHESIS OF HUMAN PDL FIBROBLASTS IN-VITRO

Fibrin glue (FG) is an agent widely used in many surgical disciplines for achieving hemostasis and tissue adhesion. The aim of this investig ation was to determine the effectiveness of a highly concentrated FG ( Tissucol(R)) on the growth and phenotypic expression of human periodon tal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts, PDL fibroblast strains were establishe d from cells scraped from PDL, and cultured in the presence and absenc e of FG for 48 and 72 h. Cell proliferation was studied by counting ce lls and mitoses, and by immunocytochemical detection of the proliferat ion-associated Ki-67 nuclear antigen. Type-I collagen production was a ssessed by radioimmunological assay of the procollagen C-terminal pept ide. Results showed that FG treatment was compatible with PDL fibrobla st growth and type-I collagen synthesis, although a reduced trend in c ell proliferation and collagen production was found in FG-supplemented cultures compared to control cultures. We conclude that FG may repres ent a suitable substrate for supporting PDL fibroblast growth and func tion.