Gingiva as a source of stem cells with therapeutic potential

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Postnatal connective tissues host diverse cell populations, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), crucial for tissue homeostasis and repair.
• MSCs exhibit varied phenotypes depending on their tissue of origin, influencing their functional roles.
• Understanding these distinct cell populations is vital for developing advanced therapeutic strategies for tissue regeneration and disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the identity, phenotypical heterogeneity, and function of gingival MSCs.
• To summarize current knowledge on gingival MSC properties, their role in scar-free healing, and therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on gingival mesenchymal stem cells.
• Analysis of existing research on cell phenotypes, differentiation capacity, and immunomodulatory functions.
• Exploration of gingival MSCs' role in wound healing and regenerative medicine.

Main Results:

• Gingival MSCs possess unique characteristics, including neural crest origin, multipotent differentiation capacity, and a fetal-like phenotype.
• These cells exhibit potent immunomodulatory properties.
• Gingival tissue offers accessible and rapidly regenerating source for MSC isolation.

Conclusions:

• Gingival MSCs represent a promising cell source for therapeutic applications in tissue regeneration and scar-free wound healing.
• Their distinct properties warrant further investigation for clinical translation.
• Targeting gingival MSCs may lead to novel treatment modalities for various pathological conditions.