Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells: Heralding a new treatment for periodontitis?

Critical roles of extracellular vesicles in periodontal disease and regeneration

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are evolutionarily conserved communication mediators that play key roles in the development of periodontal disease as well as in regeneration processes. This concise review first outlines the pathogenic mechanisms through which EVs derived from bacteria lead to the progression of periodontitis, with a focus on the enrichment of virulence factors, the amplification of immune responses, and the induction of bone destruction as key aspects influenced by bacterial EVs. This review aims to elucidate the positive effects of EVs derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EVs) on periodontal tissue regeneration. In particular, the anti-inflammatory properties of MSC-EVs and their impact on the intricate interplay between MSCs and various immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells, are described. Moreover, recent advancements regarding the repair-promoting functions of MSC-EVs are detailed, highlighting the mechanisms underlying their ability to promote osteogenesis, cementogenesis, angiogenesis, and the homing of stem cells, thus contributing significantly to periodontal tissue regeneration. Furthermore, this review provides insights into the therapeutic efficacy of MSC-EVs in treating periodontitis within a clinical context. By summarizing the current knowledge, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how MSC-EVs can be harnessed for the treatment of periodontal diseases. Finally, a discussion is presented on the challenges that lie ahead and the potential practical implications for translating EV-based therapies into clinical practices for the treatment of periodontitis.

LncRNA NR_045147 modulates osteogenic differentiation and migration in PDLSCs via ITGB3BP degradation and mitochondrial dysfunction

Periodontitis is an inflammation of the alveolar bone and soft tissue surrounding the teeth. Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been implicated in periodontal regeneration, the mechanisms by which they promote osteogenesis remain unclear. We examined whether epigenetic modifications mediated by the long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NR_045147, which plays a crucial role in cancer, influence the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red staining, and western blotting were used to detect the effects of NR_045147 on PDLSC osteogenic differentiation. Scratch migration and transwell chemotaxis assays were used to evaluate the effects of NR_045147 on PDLSC migration. Mitochondrial function was evaluated via Seahorse XF analysis to measure changes in cellular respiration upon manipulation of NR_045147 expression. Ubiquitination assays were performed to examine the protein stability and degradation pathways affected by the NR_045147-MDM2 interaction. An in vivo nude rat calvarial defect model was established and gene-edited PDLSCs were re-implanted to examine the osteogenic effects of NR_045147. NR_045147 significantly reduced PDLSC osteogenic differentiation and migration ability both in vitro and in vivo. Under inflammatory conditions, the loss of NR_045147 rescued osteogenesis. NR_045147 significantly blocked the expression of integrin beta3-binding protein (ITGB3BP). Mechanistically, NR_045147 promoted the ITGB3BP-MDM2 interaction, thus increasing ITGB3BP ubiquitination and degradation. NR_045147 regulated PDLSC mitochondrial respiration and ITGB3BP upregulation efficiently promoted their osteogenic differentiation and migration ability. Concluding, NR_045147 downregulation enhances PDLSC osteogenic differentiation and migration, connects changes in cellular metabolism to functional outcomes via mitochondrial respiration, and promotes ITGB3BP degradation by mediating its interaction with MDM2.

Does crocin create new hope for the treatment of oral problems? A focus on periodontitis

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, oral health has an indispensable role in the maintenance of human public health. However, oral problems, especially periodontitis, are known as bad players in this issue. Periodontitis, as the most prevalent oral disease, is a type of chronic illness mediated by bacterial pathogens and immune system reactions, which is linked with the destruction of tooth-protecting tissues, such as alveolar bone and periodontal ligament. Periodontitis has a high prevalence (over 40% in the United States) and can be associated with other systemic ailments, for instance, arthritis, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, cancer, respiratory diseases, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The common treatments for periodontitis are classified into invasive (surgical) and noninvasive (antibiotic therapy, scaling, and root planning) methods; however, these therapies have not reflected enough effectiveness for related patients. New documents inform the beneficial effects of plant-based compounds in healing various disorders, like periodontitis. In conjunction with this subject, it has been revealed that crocin, as an active component of saffron, regulates the balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts and has a stroking role in the accumulation of the most common collagen in teeth and bone (type 1 collagen). Besides, this carotenoid compound possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, which can be associated with the therapeutic processes of crocin in this oral disease. Hence, this narrative review study was performed to reflect the reparative/regenerative aspects of crocin agonist periodontitis.