Objective To study the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor（bFGF） on the gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor（EGFR） by periodontal ligament cells（PDLC） in culture and discuss the effect of bFGF in cell differentiation and periodontal regeneration. Methods Human PDLC were cultured in vitro and cell clone was obtained by the method of limiting dilution. PDLC were stimulated by bFGF, and then gene expression of EGFR was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）. Results The mRNA expression of EGFR was promoted by bFGF and the effect was dose-dependent. Conclusion The promotion effect of the mRNA expression of EGFR in PDLC may be one of important factors which participate in the healing process of periodontitis and provide partly theoretical basis of cell differentiation and periodontal regeneration.
