Phenotypic Expression of Oral Fibroblasts Derived from Oral Submucous Fibrosis: An Assay through Cell Culture

Objective: The present study aimed to establish cell lines of fibroblast from human OSF tissues and their response to varying concentrations of arecoline. The various morphological forms of fibroblasts were identified to establish phenotypic change.

Materials and method: Fibroblast cell lines were obtained from control samples as well as from OSF cases. The cell lines were treated with 50/100/150/300/500 ug/ml of arecoline and morphology were determined.

Results: Three morphological forms were detected; F1 spindle, F2 epitheloid and the F3 stellate. The F3 to F1 ratio was higher in OSF. Arecoline at 50ug/ml was stimulatory and at 150ug/ml cytotoxic to the cell lines.

Conclusion: Arecoline seems to enhance proliferation of the fibroblast at lower concentrations but cytotoxic at higher levels. This is probably due to the generation of new cell lines and response of the arecoline receptors indicating phenotypic change.