Biomembranes enriched with TGFβ1favor bone matrix protein expression by human osteoblasts in vitro

The use of growth factors in oral tissue regeneration is currently under investigation. When growth factors are combined with commercial materials, the in vitromechanisms of action still remain unclear. The present study first evaluated the capacity of barrier membranes, used in oral surgery, to sequester TGFβ1. Resorbable HYAFF, paroguide, poly DL‐lactide and nonresorbable PTFE membranes were immersed in MEM containing 0.2 ng 125I‐TGFβ1for different periods of time. It was found that HYAFF membrane and paroguide sequestered the most TGFβ1, which was then released in its active form (as shown by the CCL64 cell line bioassay). Untreated membranes and membranes enriched with TGFβ1were then used as substrate for human bone cells to evaluate the synthesis of the osteoblast phenotype, as indicated by specific parameters. Results showed that membranes enriched with TGFβ1increased alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen, and osteocalcin production more than untreated membranes. HYAFF and paroguide membranes, which sequestered the most of TGFβ1, were the most suitable for stimulating bone matrix proteins. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 577–582, 2002