Effects of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) on human periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPLF) function. II. Enhancement of HPLF differentiation and aggregation on PEC by L-ascorbic acid and dexamethasone.

In addition to many types of extra cellular matrix (ECM) in vivo, cells are stimulated by many types of vitamins, hormones, growth factors, etc. In this paper the effects of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Asc-2P) and dexamethasone (Dex) on proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPLF) using polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) as a matrix in vitro will be discussed. The PEC was composed of chitosan as a polycation, with carboxymethyl (CPEC) or sulfated chitin (SPEC). Asc-2P (0.2 mM) inhibited the growth of HPLF on CPEC, but promoted the growth on SPEC. Moreover, the aggregation of HPLF on CPEC was inhibited by Asc-2P, but that on SPEC was induced in the presence of Asc-2P and Dex. Although Asc-2P reduced an increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity of HPLF on CPEC as well, it induced a twofold increase in ALPase activities on SPEC and TCD. Furthermore, in the medium containing Asc-2P and 100 mM of Dex, cell growth was inhibited, but ALPase activity was promoted on both SPEC and TCD to form many aggregates on SPEC. ALPase activity increased by twofold over that of HPLF cultured in the medium containing only Asc-2P. Therefore, it is suggested that the cell functions of HPLF are controlled by the combination of PEC and additives.