This summer, Penn Dental Medicine – a part of the University of Pennsylvania focused on dentistry – released three studies that revealed extraordinary regenerative properties of oral tissues.
Scientists revealed that stem cells from the mouth cavity can be used for regenerative procedures on different parts of the human body due to their distinctive biological features.
Let's review how it works and where we can use these discoveries.
The Nature of Extensive Regeneration
It's well known that scars rarely occur in the mouth compared to any other place on our body. A group of Penn Dental Medicine researchers led by Dr. Kang Ko examined this phenomenon to find its cellular and molecular mechanisms.
Fibroblasts—special cells that form connective tissues—promote the regeneration process, so a scientific group focused on the activity of these tiny "healers."
Experimenting with the mice model, scientists observed the intensity of wound healing in the different parts of the animal's palates. During the study, they found that the front part of the palates healed much more effectively than the back parts. As it turned out, anterior palates contain a unique fibroblast population called paired-related homeobox-1+ (Prx1+). Also, scientists revealed that transplantation of these cells to back parts of palates increased their regeneration ability.
In human gums, Prx1+ fibroblasts are located in the same places and produced by the same genes, which means that such "regenerative cell transplantation" may be applied to our species.
Nerve Regrowth
Another paper from the Dr. Ahn Le group described new ways of repairing the damaged major nerve in the craniofacial region using gum-located stem cells. The most common existing approach in that case—autograft—involves replacing nerve tissues from the arm or leg to the injured region, which does not always result in successful restoration.
Thus, the research group spent about a decade researching a new type of regenerative procedure using so-called gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) – basically, gum stem cells.
As scientists have revealed, GMSCs can help regrow damaged nerves by transforming stem cells into so-called Schwann-like cells, which promote the development of neural growth factors and myelin (specific insulating layer covering neurons).
The research group, supported by Penn Medicine bioengineers, tested the invented approach on laboratory materials and found that these cells can effectively guide nerve regrowth in animals. Still, scientists were able to repair only minor injuries, and the methodology requires further research to extend its effectiveness before its application to human beings. As scientists note – this approach may help people with severe facial traumas or tumor removal surgeries.
The Jaws' Secret
Although our jaws are, in fact, bones, they have a unique biological nature. Unlike arms and legs, jaws are formed of different types of stem cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), whose regenerative capabilities are much higher than those of their "colleagues" from, for instance, hip bones. The biological mechanisms of this phenomenon are still unknown, and Prof. Sunday Akintoye is rapidly researching these cells and their application in medicine.
Thus, for now, the professor's team is studying how MSCs may be used in repairing severe jawbone damage occurring due to ameloblastoma surgery (and partially explain the disorder's nature). This rare disease is caused by the uncontrolled growth of ameloblasts, forming large tumors that impact teeth and jaws.
Also, in the future, scientists hope to apply MSCs to regenerative therapy for other bones in the human body.
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