Collagen resorption by fibroblasts. A theory of fibroblastic maintenance of the periodontal ligament.

Periodontal ligament fibroblasts contain numerous intracellular or cytosegragated collagen fibrils. These fibrils appear to be broken down within the lysosomal apparatus of the cells. There is an increase in this activity in fibroblasts associated with osteoclastic bone resorption. Cytoplasmic microfilaments and attachments to substrata indicate that the fibroblasts of the ligament have the potential of migration and cytoplasmic contraction. A theory of collagen fiber maintenance within the periodontal ligament is proposed which takes into account: (1) the motility and contractility of fibroblasts, (2) the phagocytic and degradative potential of fibroblasts, (3) the presence of intracellular collagen and (4) the reported high turnover rate of acid-insoluble collagen within the periodontium.