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Cells and Materials

Abstract

In tissues, cells attach and migrate on collagen. Interaction with collagen modulates cell proliferation and differentiation. We propose that similar environments may be constructed by immobilizing collagen-derived cell-binding peptides in a three-dimensional (3-D) template. We identified a cell binding domain of type I collagen and showed that a 15-residue synthetic analogue (P-15) binds cells with high affinity. In the present study, we compared the behavior of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) in culture on hydroxyapatite (HA) and on HA-P-15. HGF cultured on HA formed sparse monolayers with little order and deposited a scant matrix. HGF on HA-P-15 formed highly oriented 3-D colonies and deposited copious amounts of fibrous and membranous matrix. Northern analysis showed increased expression of osteogenic markers type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, osteonectin and transforming growth factor ß-1 on HA-P-15. Alizarin red stained the matrix of HGF cultures on HA-P-15 suggesting neo-mineralization. Gingival fibroblasts are a source of reparative cells in periodontal tissue repair. Our studies support this concept and suggest that HA-P-15 matrices may be effective as endosseous grafts. When seeded with appropriate cells HA-P-15 matrices may serve as tissue engineered bone substitutes.

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