Abstract
The present study examined the effect of histatins on the growth of human gingival fibroblasts, the major constituents of gingival tissues. Histatins were isolated from fresh human parotid saliva by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Human gingival fibroblasts were prepared from explants of normal human tissues collected after obtaining informed consent. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured with or without histatins. Cell growth was determined by the MTT assay. DNA synthesis was determined by the BrdU method. Ki-67 protein was detected by Western blot analysis. Binding of histatins to gingival fibroblasts was assayed using an optical biosensor. Histatins increased the rate of cell growth, DNA synthesis and the level of Ki-67 protein in human gingival fibroblasts. We also observed that histatins bound to human gingival fibroblasts. These results suggest that histatins promote the growth of human gingival fibroblasts. In the future, it may be possible to apply histatins to promote regeneration of human gingival fibroblasts in patients with periodontal disease.
