Periodontal wound healing is a complex multifactorial process that involves interactions among various cells, growth factors, hormones and extracellular matrices. Although still poorly understood, these interactions trigger a series of events that lead to new tissue formation. One growth factor that plays an important role in wound healing is fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). FGF2 is a member of the heparin-binding growth factor family, secreted by macrophages and endothelial cells. During the proliferative healing phase, it stimulates fibroblast proliferation \& ECM synthesis, and increases chemotaxis, proliferation and differentiation of endothelial cells. During the bone remodeling phase, FGF2 also stimulates mesenchymal progenitor cell migration. Many animal and human studies have shown FGF2 are effective in periodontal regeneration. In 1999, Murakami showed surgically treated 3-wall intrabony defect in dogs grafted with FGF2 was able to demonstrate significantly greater cementum and bone formation. Four years later, his group again found that topical application of rhbFGF in surgically treated class 2 furcation defects in dogs also showed increase in formation of PDL, cementum and bone. In 2008, Kitamura performed a randomized controlled study in humans with 2- or 3-wall intrabony periodontal defects and found that rhbFGF was able to stimulate alveolar bone growth and PDL regeneration.

Recently, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, have been associated with changes in patterns of gene expression that do not involve changes in DNA sequence. DNA methylation is characterized by the addition of the methyl group onto cytokines within CpG regions. Methylated CpG regions interfere with the access of transcription factors to the promoter region, thereby silencing the gene. This DNA methylation phenomenon has important regulatory functions in normal and pathological cellular processes. It was recognized that alteration in the methylation states at the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes are implicated with cancer. A persistent inflammation was also observed to cause DNA methylation, which inactivates suppressors of cytokine signaling and results in exaggerated cytokine production. This makes an individual susceptible to periodontal disease. In our laboratory, the investigators have discovered that periodontal disease is associated with increased DNA methylation of the COX-2 promotor, especially the locus immediately adjacent to the NF-kB in the promoter region. Preliminary data (not shown) suggests that FGF2 may be differentially methylated in periodontal tissues. Aberrant gene promoter methylation in smokers and diabetics has also been reported in many studies. However, the role of DNA methylation in wound healing has not yet been investigated.

We hypothesize that the methylation status of FGF2 can affect the levels of FGF2 secreted during wound healing phase after dental implant surgery. We also hypothesize there exists a difference in methylation levels of FGF2 in healthy, smoking and diabetic patients that can interfere with wound healing. We seek to determine whether DNA methylation plays a role in wound healing and whether the methylation level of FGF2 varies among healthy, smoking and diabetic patients.