Biological Effects of Emdogain ® -derived Oligopeptides on Rat Bone Marrow Cells in Vitro

126 INTRODUCTION Emdogain (EMD) extracted from the tooth germ of juvenile swine is a material that can generate acellular cementum and facilitate periodontal regeneration in patients with periodontitis featuring marked alveolar bone resorption. EMD has been clinically used as Emdogain gel for more than a decade to produce marked regenerative effects . In addition, the molecular mechanisms behind the action of EMD on the structural cells of periodontal tissue have been comprehensively investigated for about a decade to substantiate its regenerative effects. Periodontal regenerative therapy with EMD is being established. The therapy is recognized as an advanced medical technology in Japan. However, EMD is a biological material extracted from the tooth germ of juvenile swine. Thus, patients reject EMD treatment because of concerns about unknown pathogens. Currently, many patients still choose guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with a blocking membrane, recommended for periodontal regenerative therapy in Japan . Thus, synthetic peptides should be developed. To make the best use of clinical data obtained over approximately a decade concerning the regenerative effects and postoperative stability of EMD, EMD-derived synthetic peptides should be developed. Traditional Biological Effects of Emdogain-derived Oligopeptides on Rat Bone Marrow Cells in Vitro