Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-β A (TGF-β A) and on the regulation mechanisms of the differentiation of the periodontal ligament cells.
Periodontal ligament cells were isolated from 3 beagle's premolars. The cells which were subcultured on the eighth generation were used in this study. The cells were stimulated with various concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 ng/ml) of TGF-β A, and the cell proliferation and ALPase activity were assesed at 2, 4, 6 and 9 days following the treatment with TGF-β A. Immunoreactivity of and -proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody and morphological cell-spreading were assessed at 5, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours following the stimulation with 0.01 ng/ml TGF-β A.
Cell proliferation and ALPase activity were demonstrated bifunctional reaction, facilitated in lower concentrations (0.01, 0.1 ng/ml), conversely inhibited in higher concentrations (over 5.0 ng/ ml). The stimulation with 0.01 ng/ml TGF-β A immunoreactivity of PCNA were significantly higher than the control after 5 hours. Cellular processes tended to elongate axially by the treatment with TGF-β after 5 hours.
In summary, TGF-β may play as a regulatory factor and induce the differentiation of periodontal ligament cells into osteogenical cells. Therefore, it was suggested that TGF-β is involved in the mechanisms of the periodontal ligament homeostasis.
