Wound healing effects of gingival fibroblasts cultured in animal‐free medium

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 438–444 Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a graft material made of gingival fibroblasts cultured in animal‐free medium (HFDM1). Methods: We examined the effects of human serum (HS) on cell growth and wound healing capability, demonstrated by cytokine production, of gingival fibroblasts cultured in HFDM1. Subsequently, the capability of fibroblasts cultured in HFDM1 with 2% HS to promote the healing of skin defects was evaluated using nude mice. Results: The proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts was increased when HS at a concentration of 0.5–2% was added to HFDM1. Wound healing cytokines, including transforming growth factor‐β, keratinocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and IL‐6 produced by gingival fibroblasts were increased by adding 2% HS to HFDM1. In addition, gingival fibroblasts cultured in HFDM1 with 2% HS improved wound healing of mouse skin defects as well as those cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium with 10% fetal calf serum. Conclusion: Gingival fibroblasts cultured in HFDM1 with 2% HS may be useful as a graft material for reconstruction.