Effect of human platelet-derived growth factor-BB on attachment of periodontal ligament cells on root surfaces

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) on the attachment of human periodontal ligament cells (HPLCs) on the root surfaces demineralized with different agents. Methods: We performed this study at Ege University, Izmir, Turkey between 2005 and 2006. Eighty root slices were subjected to one of following treatments after root planing: 1) only root planing, 2) Platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), 3) citric acid demineralization, 4) citric acid demineralization + PDGF-BB, 5) tetracycline hydrochloric acid (T-HCl) demineralization, 6) T-HCl demineralization + PDGF- BB, 7) ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) demineralization, and 8) EDTA demineralization + PDGF-BB. Human periodontal ligament cells were seeded on the root surfaces. Following the 2-hour incubation period, the number of cells was calculated by the colorimetric assay. Three slices from each group were processed for scanning electron microscopy. The number of attached cells was tested by analysis of variance (p=0.05). Results: There were no significant differences among the groups with regard to the mean number of attached cells (p=0.843), which was highest in the fourth group, and lowest in the sixth group. Conclusion: Root planing is the most important treatment to make the diseased root surfaces biocompatible to HPLCs adherence. Application of PDGF-BB to root surfaces demineralized with citric acid may be advocated to enhance periodontal regeneration.