Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Periodontal Regenerative Substitute

Gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) are distinctive homogenous subset of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which has its development from neural ectomesenchyme along with contributions from the perifollicular mesenchyme and the dental follicle proper. GMSCs stand apart from other dental MSCs owing to their ease of accessibility and availability with incredible long culture sustainability without any tumorigenic capability, and stable telomerase activity. Their capacity to differentiate into various cell lineages and inherent therapeutic effect in chronic inflammatory diseases like colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and diabetes makes them immensely valuable. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties aid its usage in auto immune diseases and graft versus host disease. However, the differentiation, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of GMSCs in periodontal tissue regeneration are less explored.

In this review article, we have comprehensively compiled and described several reports on GMSCs till date, including their basic properties and isolation protocols, subpopulations, spheroid GMSCs, gingiva-derived IPSCsinduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), their characterization, multilineage differentiation, and immunomodulatory properties along with precise applications in periodontal regeneration and peri-implantitis.

Though the studies on GMSCs in periodontal regeneration lack superior quality random clinical trials, this review article still strengthens the view that GMSCs can be a newer source in periodontal tissue reconstruction/regeneration.