The turnover of collagen in the periodontal ligament is believed to be controlled by the balance between collagen synthesis and degradation. The family of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors is one of the mechanisms which regulates this balance. This investigator's interest lies in the effects of cytokines/growth factors on the expression of metalloproteinases in periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry.

Alvares, O., Klebe, R., Grant, G., and Cochran, D. L. (1995) Growth factor effects on the expression of collagenase and TIMP-1 in periodontal ligament cells. J. Periodontology 66, 552-558.

periodontium, fibroblasts, metalloproteinases