OBJECTIVE: Using human amniotic membrane (AM), we developed a novel, cultured, mucosal epithelia and periodontal ligament (PDL) cells sheet biomaterials from human oral epithelia and PDL cells for oral reconstruction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral mucosal epithelia and PDL cells were cultivated on human AM carrier. Cultured human oral epithelia and PDL like cells were examined histomorphologically.
RESULTS: After 2-3 weeks in culture, oral mucosal epithelial cells developed five to seven layers of stratified and well-differentiated cells. After 10 days in culture, PDL like cells showed a monolayered structure on AM.
CONCLUSIONS: Oral mucosal epithelia and PDL like cells cultivation using AM enable sheet formation. These findings lead us to conclude that this novel oral epithelial sheet material will be a useful biomaterial for oral reconstruction in humans.
Key words:Cultured oral epithelial sheets; Culture periodontal ligament cell sheets; Human amniotic membrane; Tissue engineering.