ISSN:
1573-4838
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Technology
Notes:
Abstract Natural coral skeleton has recently been introduced as a bone graft substitute which enhances bone formation in man and animals. The effects of NCS on cultured human cells has not previously been investigated. In the present study we report these effects as studied by light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy in three-dimensional culture. The results showed that natural coral skeleton does not inhibit the normal function of fibroblasts in contracting collagen lattices. After 8 weeks, the cells maintained a healthy ultrastructural morphology. At the collagen/coral interface, the cells were well-spread and attached to the surface by numerous adhesion plaques. Evidence for biosynthetic activity was also observed; the cells showed numerous ribosomes, mitochondria and prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum. Extracellularly, a perigranular dense matrix, appearing as nodules in the SEM, was deposited on the coral surface. This matrix was made of highly organized fibrils lacking periodicity, and a ground substance. The present study shows that coral was well-tolerated by human gingival fibroblasts, and that it provided a surface for cell spreading, attachment and deposition of the special extracellular matrix.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00692975
