Effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 on Cementoblast

Objective: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 has multifunctional biologic activity and is known as a signaling molecule that induces tissue regeneration. Cementoblasts not only function as support cells for periodontium but also control development, maintenance, and regeneration of periodontal tissues. Little is known about the effect of FGF-2 on cementoblasts. The aim of this study was to investigate FGF-2 on murine immortalized cementoblast cell line (OCCM.30) by measuring cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Method: OCCM.30 was cultured with 0.1, 1, 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL FGF-2. Cell viability was judged by using alamar blue reduction assay. Cell migration was evaluated by transwell and wound-healing assays. Cytodifferentiation was examined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay and cytochemical staining of calcium by using alizarin red. Statistical analysis was carried out by Student’s t test and a value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: FGF-2 was found to increase cell growth and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). FGF-2 was also demonstrated to enhance cell migration (p<0.05). However, ALP activity and calcified nodule formation had no significant change in the presence or absence of FGF-2 (p>0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, FGF-2 could increase cementoblast growth, migration, and proliferation but might suppress cytodifferentiation into hard tissue-forming cells. FGF-2 may play an important role in periodontal regeneration during the early phase of wound healing.