Fig. 1.

Cultured HGFCs prepared from eight gingival biopsy samples. A Spindle-shaped fibroblast cell-like morphology. B Cell line reached about 80% confluence and a full monolayer with non-overlapping cells was observed after seven to nine days of culturing. C Rapidly growing cells appeared radial or whorled after the first generation. D The explant technique offers a reusable gingival tissue after the first sub-culture and can be used for continuous cell culture for over two months, thereby rapidly (after one day of re-culturing) providing an abundance of HGFCs exhibiting a typical morphology. HGFCs: human gingival fibroblast cells