Objective: To explore the expression of estrogen receptors in the human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in vitro.
Methods: Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were cultured in vitro. The estrogen receptors (ER)-alpha, ER-beta were detected with immunocytochemistry staining; The mRNA of ER-alpha, ER-beta were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; The expression of ER-alpha, ER-beta protein were detected by Western blot.
Results: The mRNA and protein expression of two subtype of ER were observed on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF). The intensity of the ER-beta bands were stronger than those of ER-alpha, indicating that ER-beta expression in HPLF was higher.
Conclusions: ER may play an important role in the function of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.