TGF-β1 influences early gingival wound healing in rats: an immunohistochemical evaluation of stromal remodelling by extracellular matrix molecules and PCNA

The effect of topically applied transforming growth factor β1 (TGF - β1) on the rat gingival wound healing process after flap surgery was evaluated by immunohistochemistry for extracellular matrix molecules (ECM), such as tenascin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and type IV collagen, and for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in fibroblasts. TGF-β1 solution was applied to the surgical wound experimental sites. Two μg/μl were applied at the time of the operation, and 1 μg/μl at days 1 and 2 after surgery, with contralateral control sites receiving the vehicle alone. Periodontal tissues were histologically examined at 3 and 7 days post-surgery. Tenascin was found to be more strongly stained in the granulation tissue from experimental sites at 3 days post-surgery. At 7 days post-surgery, HSPG-positive areas in granulation tissue had become smaller and there was a prominent proliferation of PCNA-positive fibroblast-like cells and type IV collagen-positive blood vessels. These results suggest that TGF-β1 applied to surgical wounds influences early proliferation of gingival fibroblast-like cells, the formation of blood vessels, and ECM remodelling. In conclusion, TGF-β1 application appears to promote granulation tissue formation in periodontal wound healing.