Oral mucosa: anti-inflammatory function, mechanisms, and applications

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Large soft tissue injuries often result in fibrotic scarring, impairing function.
• Traditional grafts face limitations for ocular surface and urethral repair due to tissue-specific needs.
• Oral mucosa offers advantages like reduced inflammation, angiogenesis, and scarring for tissue repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of oral mucosa's resistance to inflammation and scarring.
• To explore the application of oral mucosa as a graft material for challenging injuries.
• To identify future therapeutic strategies for enhanced wound healing and reduced fibrosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review integrating current knowledge on oral mucosa wound repair.
• Analysis of cellular and molecular pathways involved in oral mucosa healing.
• Evaluation of oral mucosa's properties as a graft material.

Main Results:

• Oral mucosa demonstrates inherent resistance to inflammatory responses and scar formation.
• Its properties make it a promising alternative for repairing ocular surface and urethral defects.
• Understanding these mechanisms is key to optimizing its use in regenerative medicine.

Conclusions:

• Oral mucosa holds significant potential for improving chronic wound healing and minimizing scarring.
• Further research into its unique properties can lead to advanced therapeutic strategies.
• This review provides insights for developing novel treatments for various tissue injuries.