Stem cell-like populations and immunoregulatory molecules in periodontal granulation tissue

Background and Objectives: Determine the presence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in healthy periodontal tissue and periodontal granulation tissue (GT) and explore associations between immuno‐regulatory molecules and selected subgingival microorganisms. Material and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated, propagated and characterised by flow cytometry from a region of healthy gingival tissue and inflamed GT of 10 systemically healthy non‐smokers with chronic periodontitis. Tissue levels of immunoregulatory molecules were determined by qPCR and Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) levels by ELISA. Subgingival plaque levels of periodontal pathogens were determined by qPCR Results: Cells with MSC‐properties were isolated from both inflamed GT and healthy gingival (G) tissue. A pro‐inflammatory process predominated in GT which was partly reflected in GCF and putative periodontal pathogens were higher at diseased sites. However, there was no significant difference in surface levels of mesenchymal (CD90, CD73, CD146, CD271, STRO‐1), endothelial (CD105, CD106), hematopoietic (CD34, CD45) and embryonic (SSEA‐4) stem cell markers between MSCs isolated from GT and G tissue. Conclusion: Periodontal lesions, albeit inflamed, retain healing potential as inferred by the presence of MSC‐like cells with similar immunophenotypic characteristics to those found in healthy periodontal tissue. Therefore, there might be merits for healing in preserving sufficient GT in‐situ during periodontal surgery

Sol-Gel Derived Mg-Based Ceramic Scaffolds Doped with Zinc or Copper Ions: Preliminary Results on Their Synthesis, Characterization, and Biocompatibility

Glass-ceramic scaffolds containing Mg have shown recently the potential to enhance the proliferation, differentiation, and biomineralization of stem cells in vitro, property that makes them promising candidates for dental tissue regeneration. An additional property of a scaffold aimed at dental tissue regeneration is to protect the regeneration process against oral bacteria penetration. In this respect, novel bioactive scaffolds containing Mg2+ and Cu2+ or Zn2+, ions known for their antimicrobial properties, were synthesized by the foam replica technique and tested regarding their bioactive response in SBF, mechanical properties, degradation, and porosity. Finally their ability to support the attachment and long-term proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) was also evaluated. The results showed that conversely to their bioactive response in SBF solution, Zn-doped scaffolds proved to respond adequately regarding their mechanical strength and to be efficient regarding their biological response, in comparison to Cu-doped scaffolds, which makes them promising candidates for targeted dental stem cell odontogenic differentiation and calcified dental tissue engineering

Hard Tissue Engineering

Peer reviewe