Regenerative Potential of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Ligature-Induced Periodontitis

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-based Scaffolds in Regenerative Medicine of Dental Diseases

Biomedical engineering breakthroughs and increased patient expectations and requests for more comprehensive care are propelling the field of regenerative dentistry forward at a fast pace. Stem cells (SCs), bioactive compounds, and scaffolds are the mainstays of tissue engineering, the backbone of regenerative dentistry. Repairing damaged teeth and gums is a significant scientific problem at present. Novel therapeutic approaches for tooth and periodontal healing have been inspired by tissue engineering based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Furthermore, as a component of the MSC secretome, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to contribute to periodontal tissue repair and regeneration. The scaffold, made of an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM), acts as a supporting structure for new cell development and tissue formation. To effectively promote cell development, a scaffold must be non-toxic, biodegradable, biologically compatible, low in immunogenicity, and safe. Due to its promising biological characteristics for cell regeneration, dental tissue engineering has recently received much attention for its use of natural or synthetic polymer scaffolds with excellent mechanical properties, such as small pore size and a high surface-to-volume ratio, as a matrix. Moreover, as a bioactive material for carrying MSC-EVs, the combined application of scaffolds and MSC-EVs has a better regenerative effect on dental diseases. In this paper, we discuss how MSCs and MSC-derived EV treatment may be used to regenerate damaged teeth, and we highlight the role of various scaffolds in this process.

Effect of rh-BMP-2 in the Initiation of Neovascularization in Human Gingival Tissue: A Split-Mouth Clinical Study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect on the initiation of new blood vessel formation of rh-BMP-2 administration in the human gingival tissue during bone regeneration surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The randomized controlled clinical trial included twenty patients with bilateral partial edentulous of the mandibular premolar and molar region. Each patient received one implants on each side. Only one side received a 0.25 µg injection of rhBMP-2 into the gingival flap and grafted material during guided bone regeneration (GBR) for dental implantation. And the other side received GBR without injection. Three samples were collected from each patient as follows: one from the anterior area of the mandible (control group #1) collected at the time of all implant surgeries, and the two other samples during the placement of healing abutments at 4 months of follow-up, from treated side with rh-BMP-2 (test group) and untreated ones (control group #2). A total of 60 gingival samples were collected. Samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and immunohistochemistry was performed with a vascular endothelial growth factor marker. The number of new vessels in each sample was counted.

RESULT

Statistical analyses showed a significantly higher number of new vessels in the gingival tissue of the test group.

CONCLUSIONS

Rh-BMP-2 injections into the gingival flap significantly improved new blood vessel formation.