A comparative study of human periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts in vitro

Both periodontal ligament and gingival tissue are thought to harbor cells with the ability to stimulate periodontal regeneration, i.e., formation of new bone, cementum, and connective tissue attachment. To understand further the role of these cells in the regenerative process, we compared human periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts, both derived from the same patient, same passage, in vitro. Protein and collagen production was significantly greater in periodontal ligament cells when compared with that of gingival fibroblasts. In addition, periodontal ligament cells had higher alkaline phosphatase levels when compared with those of gingival fibroblasts.