Effects of collagen concentration on epithelial differentiation: in vitro analysis with a mucosal tissue model.

Using collagen, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts isolated from the rabbit oral mucosa, a mucosal tissue model was prepared in vitro. Using this model, the effects of the collagen concentration on growth and differentiation of epithelial cells were studied. A positive correlation was found to exist between the collagen concentration and growth as well as the differentiation of epithelial cells. Further, above a 8.6% concentration of collagen, formation of the epithelial process and the basement membrane at the border between the epithelial layer and the connective tissue was noted. A conclusion was drawn that the collagen concentration in the extracellular matrix is deeply related to the growth and differentiation of mucosal epithelial cells. At the same time, it can be said that the successful completion of this research project endorsed the reliability of our methodology for the study of mucosa.