Fibroblast growth factor-2 regulates the synthesis of hyaluronan by human periodontal ligament cells

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) can enhance biological potentials of periodontal ligament cells and its topical application induces considerable periodontal tissue regeneration in vivo. In this study, we examined the effect of FGF‐2 on the production of hyaluronan (HA), an extracellular matrix playing important roles in homeostasis and inflammatory/wound healing responses, by human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells. An inhibition binding‐protein assay revealed that FGF‐2 significantly increased HA production by HPDL cells in a dose dependent manner. Analysis by HPLC revealed that in conditioned medium of FGF‐2‐treated HPDL cells HA had a higher molecular mass, compared to that of untreated HPDL cells. RT‐PCR analysis revealed the enhancement of mRNA expression of hyaluronan synthase (HAS) 1 and HAS 2, both of which contribute to the production of HA with a high molecular mass, but not HAS 3 in the FGF‐2‐treated HPDL cells. In contrast, three isoforms of hyaluronidase (HYAL) transcript were unchanged in the FGF‐2‐treated HPDL cells. These results provide new evidence for the possible involvement of FGF‐2 in the regulation of HA production and its appreciable roles in not only homeostasis but also regeneration of periodontal tissues. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.