The Effect of rhBMP-4 on Alkaline Phosphatase Expression of Gingival Fibroblast

This study examined whether the alkaline phosphatase of human gingival fibroblast is enhanced by recombinant human BMP-4. Gingival fibroblast was obtained from the excised gingival tissue of an implant patient undergoing gingival surgery. The tissue was incubated at 37° in 5% CO2 and 95% humidity, and the cultivating media was changed every 2 days. The 2nd passage gingival fibroblasts were cultured in a medium containing Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1 X antibiotic antimycotic solution. The control gingival fibroblast was cultured without rhBMP-4. The experimental group 1 were cultured with low-dose rhBMP-4. The experimental group 2 were cultured with high-dose rhBMP-4. This study evaluated the effect of rhBMP-4 on alkaline phosphatase expression of gingival fibroblast using alkaline phosphatase assay. In the experimental group 2 with low dose rhBMP-4, the gingival fibroblast showed abundant positive alkaline phosphatase staining. In the control group, the gingival fibroblast showed weak positive alkaline phosphatase staining. Overall, these results suggest that the alkaline phosphatase expression of human gingival fibroblast can enhanced by low dose rhBMP-4.