Experiences of Preclinical Use of Periodontal Ligament-derived Cell Sheet Cultured on Human Amniotic Membrane

We evaluated the transplant of cultivated beagle dog periodontal ligament (PDL) cells grown on human amniotic membrane (AM) to promote periodontal regeneration in artificial fenestration defects in jaw bones. PDL cells were obtained from the extracted mandibular lateral incisors of three beagle dogs. PDL-derived cells were grown on an AM substrate. Artificial fenestration in periodontal defects was made bilaterally in the maxillary canines, PDL-derived cell sheets on AM were transplanted in the experimental group, and mucoperiosteal flaps were returned. The other sides were applied AM only as the control group. Four weeks after surgery, the dogs were sacrificed and specimens were examined histologically. In the experimental group, new cementum and bone were observed in the periodontal defect, whereas in the controls, connective tissue could only be observed. The results of the in vivo experimental study suggested that PDL-derived cell sheets on AM were useful biomaterial for periodontal regeneration.