Contraction and organization of collagen gels by cells cultured from periodontal ligament, gingiva and bone suggest functional differences between cell types

Monkey periodontal ligament fibroblasts (MPLF cells), human gingival fibroblasts (HGF cells), rat embryonic calvaria cells (REC cells), porcine periodontal ligament epithelial cells (PPLE cells) and rat osteosarcoma 17/2 cells (ROS cells) were incorporated into 3-dimensional collagen gels plated in 60 mm Petri dishes in order: first, to measure the capacity of these cell types to contract; second, to investigate cell-collagen and intercellular relationships during contraction; and third, to define the cellular contribution to tissue contraction in an in vitro system. Measurements at times up to 72 h on 3 ml gels containing 5 x 10(5) cells and with a collagen concentration of 1.20 mg/ml showed that MPLF cells contracted the gels at a significantly greater rate (P less than 0.001) than did the other cell types. In addition, contraction started sooner and was of greater extent than with the other cells. HGF cells contracted the gels more rapidly than REC and PPLE cells, while ROS cells caused no contraction. Several stages of gel compaction could be defined: (1) the attachment of cells to collagen; (2) cellular spreading within the collagen fibre matrix; (3) organization and alignment of collagen fibres by cell processes; (4) cell migration; (5) establishment of intercellular contacts; and (6) the development of a cellular reticular arrangement within the gel and the extension of this arrangement into a 3-dimensional, tissue-like, honeycomb network. Electron microscopic observations on 0.1 ml gels containing MPLF cells showed that, in the early contractile phase, numerous cell processes attached to or enclosed collagen fibrils. These processes contained microfilamentous material and few organelles. In compacted gels, the cells contained an increased amount of distended rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes. Since MPLF cells have the capacity for vigorous contraction of the collagen gels and since they develop a reticular, 3-dimensional structure in compacted gels that is reminiscent of the relationship of periodontal ligament fibroblasts to collagen fibres in vivo, it is suggested that they could provide the major force necessary for tooth eruption in vivo. This system also provides a well-defined in vitro model to study the sequential stages that occur during contraction processes.