Background: Periodontitis involves inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. Gingival fibroblasts are the most abundant cells in periodontal tissue, and they play a role in maintaining the structural integrity of the tissue. Plasma rich in growth factors contain a pool of proteins and growth factors that promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. In the present study, we evaluate the potential of different formulations obtained with this approach to stimulate several biologic processes involved in wound healing, including fibroblast proliferation, migration, adhesion, and the autocrine release of some angiogenic factors and extracellular matrix components. Furthermore, the ability of this technology to prevent and inhibit transforming growth factor β1-induced myodifferentiation was also determined.
Methods: Cell proliferation was evaluated through a colorimetric assay, cell migration was performed on culture inserts, and cell adhesion was studied through a fluorescence-based method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine some of the biomolecules released by gingival fibroblasts. Smooth muscle actin expression was assessed through immunofluorescence microscopy.
Results: Results showed that plasma rich in growth factors significantly increased gingival fibroblast proliferation, migration, and cell adhesion on type I collagen matrix. In addition, it stimulated the autocrine expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and hyaluronic acid. The myofibroblast phenotype, which is characterized by expressing α-smooth muscle actin, was inhibited and reverted by treating with this technology.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that plasma rich in growth factors is capable of promoting regeneration of gingival connective tissue by stimulating some of the main processes involved in wound regeneration.