Synthesis of collagen, collagenase and collagenase inhibitors by cloned human gingival fibroblasts and the effect of concanavalin A

Individual clones of human gingival fibroblasts that differ in morphology and growth characteristics have been found to synthesize collagen (types I, III and V), collagenase and collagenase inhibitors, and to be capable of degrading native collagen mats. Although collagenase activity was normally low, synthesis of the enzyme could be stimulated ten-fold by Concanavalin A. These results demonstrate that individual fibroblasts have the ability to both synthesize and degrade collagen.