Objective: Barrier membranes made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and collagen are used for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in periodontal surgery or with bone augmentation prior to implant placement. Fibroblast cell response to these membranes is central to healing and tissue formation. This study examined in vitro fibroblast response to permanent and resorbable GTR materials.

Methods: Mouse fibroblasts (SV-40 transformed) were seeded onto four types of clinically used membranes: Bovine cross-linked collagen (BioMend), two types of resorbable polyglycolide/trimethylene carbonate fiber membranes (Adapt, and Resolut XT), and ePTFE (Gore-Tex). Membranes were seeded in both barrier side up and half barrier side down configurations. Samples were cultured under standard conditions and fed with DMEM containing 10% FBS, 1% Penn/Strep, 1% L-glutamine, and 1% NEAA. Cells were fixed and stained on days 1 and 7 using 3% glutaraldehyde and toluidine. Cultures were analyzed on an Edge R400 real time 3-D microscope for cell morphology and density at different depth in the matrices.

Results: At day 1 the collagen and resorbable polymer materials seeded more densely than the ePTFE material. Cells on the ePTFE showed less spreading than the other substrates. At day 7, the ePTFE still showed relatively few cells, the collagen membrane material showed a loss of cells, and the resorbable polymer materials showed abundant cell growth, with dense colonies growing along individual fibers and forming bridges between fibers.

Conclusion: Cells on the ePTFE membrane showed poor spreading and low growth probably due to the hydrophobic nature of the material. Both resorbable polymer membranes showed extensive cell seeding and growth. The lack of cell growth on the collagen matrix material suggested cytotoxicity, possibly because of release of cross-linking agents. The amounts and patterns of cell attachment and growth were determined by the surface chemistry and three-dimensional configurations of the membrane materials.

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