Gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cell-mediated therapeutic approach for bone tissue regeneration

Up to now, the gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) as a new postnatal stem cells have been isolated and characterized with multipotential differentiation capabilities in vitro. However, the in vivo efficacy of utilizing the GMSCs in bone regeneration remains obscure. First of all, we identified canonical MSCs in human gingival tissue, which possessed homogenous immunophenotype (CD34(-)CD45(-)CD29(+)CD105(+)CD90(+) STRO-1(+)) and had tri-lineage differentiation potential (osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes). Next, we examined the efficacy of utilizing these stem cells in bone tissue regeneration; the enhanced green fluorescent protein-labeled GMSCs seeded on type I collagen gel were implanted into the mandibular defects as well as the critical-sized calvarial defects in Sprague Dawley rats. We first demonstrated that GMSCs could repair the mandibular wounds and calvarial defects at 2 months in rats postsurgical reconstruction. Histomorphological analysis and image of fluorescence microscope certified that new bone in the defect areas was derived from the transplanted GMSCs. Immunohistochemical analysis of green fluorescent protein, human collagen I, and osteopontin further confirmed our conclusion. The above results implied that mesenchymal stem cells derived from gingival tissue could be a novel source for stem cell-based therapy in bone reconstruction in clinical applications.