in vitro attachment of bacteria to extracts of cementum

Abstract

Cementum is a specialized mineralized tissue providing for the attachment of perio‐dontal fibers to the root surface of a tooth. In periodontal disease this connective tissue attachment to the cemental surface is lost. The ability of bacteria to adhere to the root surface, an intial event in the disease process, may be influenced by the organic matrix of cementum. Therefore, an in vitro assay of cell attachment was modified to study bacterial adherence to protein extracts of cementum. Petri dishes coated with the extracts were pre‐incubated in culture media and then bacteria were added. Using this assay, Capnocytophaga‐like species, a gram negative bacterium implicated in periodontal disease, attached preferentially to dishes coated with cemental extracts when compared with Type I collagen or uncoated dishes. This assay system should prove beneficial for studying the attachment of various microorganisms to protein extracts of both normal and diseased cementum. as well as providing insight into the unique attachment properties of cementum.

Protein production by human gingival fibroblasts is enhanced by guanidine EDTA extracts of cementum

“…The methods used to obtain the extracts of bovine cementum, dentin and alveolar bone were sitiiilar to those described previously (Tennine et al 1981, Somerman et al 1985b). Briefly, teeth and supporting alveolar bone were removed from jaws of freshly slaughtered 2-yr-old steer and placed in 0.02 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4, with protease inhibitors (0.05 M 6aminohexanoic acid, 0.005 M benzamidine HCL, 0.001 M phenylmethysulfonyl fluoride) at 4°C.…”

“…DeSimone & Reddi 1982) and a bone chemotactic factor (Somerman et al 1983). Few studies have focused on understanding proteins associated with cementum matrix (Somerman, Shteyer & Bowers 1984, Somerman et al 1985a, 1985b, Miki et al 1986). The recent indications that cementum has unique properties that play a role in maintaining a healthy periodontium (Page & Baab 1986) tnakes it important to further understand this tissue.…”

Glycosaminoglycans of human cementum

“…Cementum was obtained from freshly extracted teeth which showed no signs of inflammation. The procedure used was essentially that described by Somerman et al (12) and Miki, Narayanan & Page (13). Briefly, adhering periodontal ligament and other soft connective tissues were removed under a dissecting microscope.…”