Abstract
This is the first study to explore the effect of biomaterial on tooth germ cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of cell–surface interactions of tooth germ cells on biomaterials with various surface hydrophilicities. The biomaterials used in this study included polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol; EVAL), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Cell morphology was observed by photomicroscopy. Cell growth was assayed with 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction activity and the characteristic expression of amelogenin and collagen type I in tooth germ cells was investigated using immunocytochemistry. The results indicated that adhesion and proliferation of tooth germ cells to biomaterials with moderate hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity was superior compared to most hydrophobic material PVDF or mosthydrophilic material PVA in this study. Cellular adhesion and proliferation was evident on all tested biomaterials except PVA. The cell spheroids on PVA appeared not to be proliferated and remained as well as reattachable to tissue culture plates. In conclusion, biomaterials with moderate hydrophilicity are suitable for adhesion and proliferation of tooth germ cells. The material PVA may be a good biomaterial for maintaining tooth germ cells in three‐dimensional biological restoration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007