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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
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Isolation, Characterization and MicroRNA-based Genetic Modification of Human Dental Follicle Stem Cells
Published on: November 16, 2018
7.2K
Defining the Stem Cell Niche in Developing Pericoronal Dental Follicles.
Zornitsa Mihaylova1,2, Marina Miteva3, Maria Praskova3
1Research Institute of Innovative Medical Science, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, BGR.
Cureus
|November 5, 2025
Summary
Dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) possess a specific phenotype and multilineage differentiation potential. These oral cavity stem cells show promise for regenerative medicine, particularly in soft tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology
- Stem cell research
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- The pericoronal dental follicle surrounds developing teeth.
- It contains epithelial and connective tissues.
- Stem cells can be isolated from this follicle.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify stem cell subpopulations in the oral cavity.
- Characterize their marker expression.
- Assess their differentiation potential.
Main Methods:
- Dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) were cultured.
- High-throughput fluorescent analysis assessed cell markers.
- In vitro differentiation potential (osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic) was evaluated.
Main Results:
- DFSCs expressed epithelial and mesenchymal markers (CD44H, CD71, CD90).
- Quantitative profiling of DFSC markers was achieved.
- DFSCs differentiated into osteoblast-like, chondroblast-like, and adipocyte-like cells.
Conclusions:
- Dental follicles harbor stem cells with multilineage differentiation capacity.
- DFSCs are a potential source of human adult stem cells.
- Their differentiation profile suggests applications in soft tissue engineering or immunomodulation.
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