OBJECTIVETo investigate the integrity of multilayer of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLF) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) on filter membrane of Transwell and to provide basis for the drug transcellular transport by the HPDLF and HGF in the hypothesis of delivering medicine to the periodontium and whole body through the root canal.

METHODSHPDLF and HGF derived from the primary culture were seeded on polycarbonate filter membrane of transwell respectively. After 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of culture, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was detected and the growth of HPDLF and HGF observed by light microscope. After 2 weeks of culture, section of filter membrane where HPDLF and HGF lived was observed with light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the permeability of the drug transport cell models was measured with fluorescein sodium.

RESULTSHPDLF and HGF converged 1 week after inoculation, and the cells connected each other tightly and completely 2 weeks later. Observation of section of filter membrane by light microscope and TEM revealed a stratified cell growth of HPDLF and HGF 2 weeks after inoculation, and TEER of HPDLF and HGF were (56.14 +/- 7.43) and (57.34 +/- 7.62) ohm.cm(-2) respectively. The values of TEER remained the same level until 4 weeks later. Two weeks after inoculation, the paracellular transport of fluorescein sodium was less than 1% after the cell models were incubated for 30 min.

CONCLUSIONSStratified cell layers of HPDLF and HGF grown on filter membrane of Transwell are analogous to periodontal membrane and gingiva 2 weeks after inoculation, the test results of permeability and TEER were consistent with the demands of development of cell models. HPDLF and HGF grown on filter membrane of Transwell could be used to study drug transcellular transport by HPDLF and HGF in vitro.