Figure 1.

Schematic representation of substrate stiffness influencing MMA-induced cytotoxicity in HGFs. (A) This figure presents the effect of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) cultured on substrates of different stiffness (0.2 kPa and tissue culture plastic (TCP)). (B) MMA, a constituent of dental resins, generates toxic byproducts that impose cellular stress on gingival tissue. The schematic depicts a stiffness-dependent cytotoxic response, where increased substrate rigidity correlates with elevated cell death and DNA damage. Cells on the softer 0.2 kPa substrate exhibit reduced cytotoxicity compared to those on the stiffer TCP at MMA concentrations of 5 mM, 7.5 mM, and 10 mM.