[Fibroblasts of the normal human periodontium. Morphology and functional behavior in lattice collagen]

In this preliminary report, we studied human periodontal normal fibroblasts cultured on a fibrillary tridimensional net of collagen (lattice). As demonstrated by scanning and transmission electron microscope, cells were closely binded to this fibrillar net. They kept their functional activities (oxidatives enzymes, leucine aminopeptidase). As seen in monolayer cultures by immunocytochemical methods, the majority of these cells secreted type I collagen (70 to 80% of them: 15 to 25% secreting type III collagen). Besides, the capacity of retraction of collagen lattices, quite similar to that of skin lattices, was expressed by a decreasing curve up to the 8th day. In order to study the possible role of fibroblastic biological changes in periodontal disease, later on we shall compare the characteristics of normal fibroblast to those of fibroblast taken in periodontal disease.