Gingival Stem Cells Show Promise for Tissue Regeneration

Gingival Stem Cells Show Promise for Tissue Regeneration

A study published online in the Journal of Dental Research in July suggests that gingivae may contain ideal properties for harvesting stem cells. Spearheaded by Songtao Shi, DDS, PhD, of the Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, the research team sought to examine the presence of stem cells in gingivae (known as gingival mesenchymal stem cells or GMSCs), as well as their origin.

The researchers discovered that 90% of GMSCs derive from cranial neural crest cells, while the remaining 10% derive from the mesoderm. Furthermore, GMSCs that come from cranial neural crest cells demonstrate the unique ability to differentiate into neural cells and modulate immune cells, suggesting their potential use in neural tissue regeneration. This finding led the team to test the role that stem cells may play in gingival immune defense and wound healing. As presented in the paper, “Gingivae Contain Neural-Crest- and Mesoderm-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells,” the team found that GMSCs derived from cranial neural crest cells are markedly better at improving inflammatory disease-like conditions than GMSCs that come from the mesoderm.

While the results are promising, further research is warranted to determine whether stem cells found in the gingivae may be suitable for tissue regeneration.

Hygiene Connection E-Newsletter

September 2013