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Updated: Oct 29, 2026
Isolation, Characterization and MicroRNA-based Genetic Modification of Human Dental Follicle Stem Cells
Published on: November 16, 2018
Osteogenic-Preconditioned Dental Follicle Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Attenuate Experimental Periodontitis by
Genzheng Yi1, Feng Huang1, Huixiao Yang2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510182, People's Republic of China.
Introduction:
Therapeutic improvement of periodontitis with extracellular vesicles (EVs) requires strategic optimization, as EV contents vary across sources. The periodontium originates from dental follicle cells (DFCs) and osteogenic-inductive DFCs have shown benefits in treating periodontal disease. Therefore, this study investigated osteogenic-induced DFC-derived EVs (Os-EVs) for the treatment of periodontitis and their immune-regulatory mechanisms.
Methods:
EVs were isolated from DFCs cultured under osteogenic or standard conditions. Their morphology, protein composition and elemental content were characterized. In vitro, their regulatory effects on macrophages, including phagocytosis, migration, polarization, and proteomic changes were assessed. In vivo, a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis was treated locally with Os-EVs or control EVs. Micro-CT, histological staining and gingival proteomics were used to evaluate therapeutic outcomes and mechanisms.
Results:
Osteogenic induction altered EV composition, possibly enriching immunoglobulin-related proteins and mineral elements. Os-EVs were efficiently internalized by macrophages, suppressed macrophage migration, and inhibited the differentiation of the pro-inflammatory phenotype. In vivo, Os-EVs significantly reduced gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss compared to control EVs. Proteomic profiling of macrophages and gingival tissue revealed a decrease in pro-inflammatory phenotype macrophages, potentially related to the downregulation of proteasome-related proteins, indicating an underlying correlation between macrophagic phenotype and the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight the importance of donor cell conditioning in optimizing the bioactivity of EV-based biomaterials and suggest the potential therapeutic value of Os-EVs for treating periodontitis. Future research should investigate these findings in more detail.
