SUMMARY: Cell culture is an important tool in medical, odontological and biological research laboratories, supporting cell therapies and tissue bioengineering strategies. Gingival fibroblasts present structural function, being able to modulate their metabolic capacity, which is reflected in the tissue morphology. The possibility of culturing fibroblasts in vitro, in monolayer or on three-dimensional scaffolds, for subsequent transplants in vivo opens important perspectives for the periodontal surgical clinic. The objective of the present article is to present a method of obtaining and cultivating viable human gingival fibroblasts for in vitro research. Explants derived from periodontal surgical discards were used, grown in 25 cm2 bottles to obtain a primary cell culture. After observing the proliferation and growth of the fibroblasts that interconnected and formed a monolayer network, involving the periphery of the explants, it was possible to remove the explants, to make the passage and the new subcultures were obtained in a ratio of 1:1. After 7 days, the amount of viable cells was analyzed in triplicate, using the Neubauer chamber technique, in cell culture bottles of 25 mm2 (T25) and 75 mm2 (T75). Fibroblasts were described and subclassified morphologically. The results showed a growth pattern in both bottles, but with a larger number in bottles of 75 cm2. Cells with fibroblastic morphology were subclassified into reticular and fusiform, being predominant those with fusiform morphology. In conclusion, culture of explant of human gingival connective tissue is a viable method for obtaining gingival connective tissue cells suitable for laboratory tests in cell culture, aiming at obtaining constructs for gingival tissue engineering.

RESUMEN: El cultivo celular es una herramienta importante en los laboratorios de investigación médica, odontológica y biológica, que apoyan las terapias celulares y las estrategias de bioingeniería de tejidos. Los fibroblastos gingivales presentan una función estructural, pudiendo modular su capacidad metabólica, que se refleja en la morfología tisular. La posibilidad de cultivar fibroblastos in vitro, en monocapa o en andamios tridimensionales, para trasplantes posteriores in vivo abre perspectivas importantes para la clínica de cirugía periodontal. El objetivo del presente artículo es presentar un método para obtener y cultivar fibroblastos gingivales humanos viables para investigación in vitro. Se utilizaron explantes derivados de los descartes quirúrgicos periodontales, crecidos en frascos de 25 cm2 para obtener un cultivo de células primarias. Después de observar la proliferación y el crecimiento de los fibroblastos que se interconectaron y formaron una red de monocapa, que involucraba la periferia de los explantes, fue posible eliminar los explantes, hacer el pasaje y los nuevos subcultivos se obtuvieron en una proporción de 1:1. Después de 7 días, la cantidad de células viables se analizó por triplicado, utilizando la técnica de cámara de Neubauer, en botellas de cultivo celular de 25 mm2 (T25) y 75 mm2 (T75). Los fibroblastos fueron descritos y sub-clasificados morfológicamente. Los resultados mostraron un patrón de crecimiento en ambas botellas, pero con un número mayor en botellas de 75 cm2. Las células con morfología fibroblástica se subclasificaron en reticulares y fusiformes, predominando aquellas con morfología fusiforme. En conclusión, el cultivo de explante de tejido conectivo gingival humano es un método viable para obtener células de tejido conectivo gingival adecuadas para pruebas de laboratorio en cultivos celulares, con el objetivo de obtener construcciones para la ingeniería del tejido gingival.

Este trabalho avaliou o potencial de formação óssea do fator de crescimento derivado de plaquetas na isoforma BB (PDGF-BB), fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina I (IGF-I), e a mistura PDGF-BB/IGF-I administrada em lipossomas comparando com tampão fosfato salino (PBS), no processo de cicatrização de alvéolos dentários de ratos. Cento e doze ratos Wistar foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 7 grupos de 16 animais cada e foram avaliados aos 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias após a extração dos segundos molares maxilares. Os alvéolos esquerdos foram tratados com PBS (P), lipossomas vazios (L), IGF-I em PBS (IP), IGF-I em lipossomas (IL), PDGF-BB em PBS (PDP), PDGF-BB em lipossomas (PDL) e ambos os fatores de crescimento (GFs) em associação dentro de lipossomas (PDIL). Os alvéolos direitos foram preenchidos com coágulo sanguíneo (BC). As análises histomorfométrica e histológica foram utilizadas para avaliar a formação de novo osso e vasos sanguíneos. Imunohistoquímica foi realizada para avaliar a expressão de osteocalcina e o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) durante o reparo ósseo. Os dados foram testados estatisticamente utilizando o teste de Tukey em acordo com análise de Dunn e o teste Mann-Whitney U seguido pela análise de um passo de Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados foram considerados significantes quando p<0,05. Uma percentagem altamente significativa de osso trabecular e alto número de vasos sanguíneos foram observados nos grupos IL, PDL e PDIL (p<0,05). Todavia, esses grupos lipossoma-GF tiveram resultados similares estatisticamente. Ensaios de imunohistoquímica inicialmente detectaram a expressão de osteocalcina e VEGF aos 3 dias, seguida por um pico aos 7 dias. Niveis mais baixos de imunorreatividade foram observados em BC, L, P, PI e PDP quando comparados com os grupos IL, PDL e PDIL (p<0,05). Os resultados sugerem que GFs carreados por lipossomas, na forma isolada ou em combinação, aceleram o processo de cicatrização em alvéolos dentários de rato. A expressão diferencial dos marcadores osteogênicos VEGF e osteocalcina, nas fases iniciais de cicatrização óssea, confirma esses achados.

This work evaluated the bone-forming potential of the platelet-derived growth factor isoform BB (PDGF-BB), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and mixed PDGF-BB/IGF-I delivered in liposomes compared with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), in the healing process of rat tooth sockets. One hundred and twelve Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups of 16 animals each and were evaluated at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after extraction of the maxillary second molars. The left sockets were treated with PBS (P), empty liposome (L), IGF-I in PBS (IP), IGF-I in liposome (IL), PDGF-BB in PBS (PDP), PDGF-BB in liposome (PDL) and both growth factors (GFs) together within liposomes (PDIL). The right sockets were filled with blood clot (BC). Histological and histomorphometric analyses were used to evaluate the formation of new bone and blood vessels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of osteocalcin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during bone repair. Data were tested statistically using a Tukey's test according to a Dunn's analysis and Mann-Whitney U test followed by Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis. Results were considered significant when p<0.05. A significantly higher percentage of bone trabeculae and a higher number of blood vessels were observed in the IL, PDL and PDIL groups (p<0.05). However, these GF-liposome groups had statistically similar results. Immunohistochemical assays first detected osteocalcin and VEGF expression at 3 days followed by a peak at 7 days. Lower immunoreactivity levels were observed in the BC, L, P, IP and PDP groups compared with the IL, PDL and PDIL groups (p<0.05). The results suggest that GFs carried by liposomes, either in isolated or mixed forms, enhanced the healing process in rat tooth sockets. The differential expression of the osteogenic markers VEGF and osteocalcin in the early phases of bone healing support these findings.