Influence of Geometry of Transplanted Tooth and Bone on Transformation of Fibroblasts 1

Abstract

Summary

Allogeneic transplants of demineralized powdered bone or whole teeth in different shapes transformed fibroblasts to cartilage and bone. Coarse powders of bone elicited significantly higher yields of transformation products than fine powder did; criteria of transformation included histologic findings, alkaline phosphatase activity, ³⁵S and ³²P incorporation. The temporal sequence of fibro-blast-chondroblast-osteoblast transformation was profoundly influenced by the geometry of the transformant. The incursion of capillaries among the transformed cells resulted in chondrolysis.