Gingival fibroblasts and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: results by real-time and wound healing in vitro assays

Abstract Objective This study investigated the effects of bisphosphonates and denosumab on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) that could influence inflammation, wound healing, and angiogenesis in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Methods A real-time in vitro assay was performed on HGFs with and without the addition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and a mononuclear cell co-culture to observe the effects of zoledronate, ibandronate, alendronate, clodronate, denosumab, and combinations of zoledronate and denosumab at varied concentrations. A wound healing assay was performed, and gene and protein expression was analyzed for inflammatory, angiogenic, and osteoclastogenic cytokines and mediators including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), RANKL, and osteoprotegerin. Results Higher concentrations of antiresorptives resulted in impaired wound healing and HGF death, which also occurred without mechanical damage. These effects were increased with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and mononuclear cells. Increased levels of IL-1β, TNFα, IL-8, VEGF, osteoprotegerin, and decreased levels of IL-6 were observed. Conclusions Antiresorptive exposure was associated with HGF death and delayed wound healing, which could be attributed to an elevated inflammatory response and immune dysfunction contributing to MRONJ development. There was no evidence of anti-angiogenic effects. Our experiments present the first results of denosumab with HGFs.