Experimental study on cell adhesion and migration

Characteristics of oral wound healing

Abstract

Cell adhesion and migration are basic biological processes.
To evaluate the characteristics of oral wound healing, differences among cells derived from various tissues and the influence of saliva on cell-specific properties were investigated.
Three human cell lines were used: gingival fibroblasts, embryonic palatal messenchyme (HEPM) and skin fibroblasts.
To estimate cell adhesion, the cells were plated on dishes. Following incubation, the cells were rinsed to remove unattached cells. The cell adhesion rate was calculated by dividing the number cells remaining on the dishes by the number of plated cells.
To estimate cell migration, the cells were plated on the dishes marked with two reference points. Photographs of the plated cells were taken via a phase contrast microscope. In the photographs, the distance each cell had migrated from the reference points was measured.
The following results were obtained:
1. The three cell lines differed in their migration and adhesion abilities. Skin fibroblasts had higher migration and adhesion properties than the other cells derived from oral tissue.HEPM migrated less than gingival fibroblasts.
2. Fibronectin enhanced cell adhesion and migration. This result was in agreement with previous reports.
3. Coating the dishes with whole saliva inhibited cell adhesion and migration.
4. Adding whole saliva to the medium also inhibited cell adhesion and migration.