OBJECTIVETo investigate immunohistochemical presentation of fibromodulin in vitro during wound healing of three types of periodontal cells and discuss the role of fibromodulin.

METHODSCultured periodontal cells were wounded and followed by observation up to 7 days. The immunohistochemical expression of fibromodulin in periodontal cells was observed.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical localization of fibromodulin during cellular wound healing showed that newly migrating periodontal cells toward the wound area were expressed strongly for fibromodulin at day 1 after wounding; thereafter, fibromodulin expression was noted stronger in newly migrating periodontal cells localized in the central part of the wound area than those around the wound area.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that fibromodulin may be involved in the early events of wound healing for periodontal cells.

Cells, Cultured ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Fibromodulin ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; Proteoglycans ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution and expression of fibromodulin, decorin and biglycan in developing normal periodontal tissues, so as to understand its role in periodontal tissue formation.

METHODSThirty six BALB/c mice in different developing stages were killed and their bilateral mandibular first molars with surrounding alveolar bones and gingival tissues were taken out, Power Vision two steps immunohistochemical method with anti-fibromodulin, anti-decorin and anti-biglycan was used to detect the tissue distribution and cellular localization of fibromodulin and related proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan.

RESULTSFibromodulin was strongly expressed in the subcutaneous gingival connective tissue, periodontal ligament, mainly in gingival and periodontal fibroblasts as well as their matrices. Strong expression was also noted in the area close to the interfaces of periodontal ligament-alveolar bone and periodontal ligament-cementum. Decorin was strongly expressed in the area of gingival connective tissue, periodontal ligament and the surface of alveolar bone, while biglycan was stained evidently in gingival connective tissue throughout the period of investigation, but negative in the surface of alveolar bone and osteoblasts.

CONCLUSIONSFibromodulin may interact with decorin and biglycan to regulate the network formation of gingival connective tissues and periodontal collagen fibers, and may be involved in mineralization of the alveolar bone and cementum.

Alveolar Process ; cytology ; growth & development ; Animals ; Biglycan ; Decorin ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; analysis ; Fibromodulin ; Gingiva ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteoblasts ; chemistry ; Periodontal Ligament ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Proteoglycans ; analysis ; Tooth Germ ; chemistry