Gingival fibroblasts are embedded in an extracellular matrix. The matrixs have influence on the development, polarity, and behavior of nearby cells. The major component of periodontal extracellular matrix is a glycosaminoglycan. The glycosaminoglycan are large carbohydrates that are composed of repeating disaccharide units and exist in three main form: dermatan sulfate, chondrotitin sulfate, heparan sulfate. The purpose of present study is to examine the biologic effects of glycosaminoglycan on human gingival fibroblast. Human gingival fibroblasts were supplemented with each glycosaminoglycan, and cellular attachment and proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate did not stimulate the attachment and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts, but heparan sulfate increased the proliferation and attachment in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

These results indicated that heparan sulfate seems to have a high potential for gingival regeneration and root surface attachment.