The biological effects of isolated soluble dentin extracellular matrix components on the induction of reparative dentinogenesis in exposed cavities in ferret canine teeth have been shown to be blocked by immobilizing the extracellular matrix components on nitrocellulose or Millipore membranes during implantation. This contrasts with the picture of induction of odontoblast-like cell differentiation and reparative dentin deposition on existing insoluble dentin matrix of the exposure walls when the extracellular matrix components are implanted in lyophilized form. These data indicate the importance of an existing insoluble dentin matrix in providing a substrate to potentiate the growth factor-like activity of soluble isolated dentin extracellular matrix components in the induction of reparative dentinogenesis.

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