ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the gene expression of decorin by periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLFs) in culture, and discuss the effect of bFGF in periodontal regeneration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human PLFs were cultured and stimulated by exogenous bFGF. Gene expression of decorin was assessed by semi-quantitive RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expression of decorin was suppressed by bFGF and the effect was dose-dependent. When the dose of bFGF increased, the inhibitive effect decreased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decorin has many biological effects. The inhibitive effect may be one of important factors which participate in the healing process of periodontitis, and provide partly theoretical basis of bFGF in periodontal regeneration.</p>