Detection, Characterization, and Clinical Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Periodontal Ligament Tissue

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a kind of somatic stem cells that exert a potential to differentiate into multiple cell types and undergo robust clonal self-renewal; therefore, they are considered as a highly promising stem cell population for tissue engineering. MSCs are identified in various adult organs including dental tissues. Periodontal ligament (PDL) is a highly specialized connective tissue that surrounds the tooth root. PDL also contains MSC population, and many researchers have isolated them and performed their detailed characterization. Here, we review the current understanding of the features and functions of MSC population in PDL tissues and discuss their possibility for the application of PDL regeneration.

Non-proliferative neurogenesis in human periodontal ligament stem cells

“…It is important to mention that the hPDLSCs-derived neural-like cells located in the NSC niches show neural stem morphology, which suggests hPDLSCs-derived neural-like cells may achieve a correct polarization in vivo. www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ Therefore, our results provide additional evidence that it is possible to differentiate hPDLSCs to neuron-like cells, as suggested by their neural-crest origin, stem cell characteristics and neural differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] . However, it is important to mention that future research is required to resolve the potential limitations in their medical application 10,14,46 , and also to optimize the diversity of in vitro neural induction protocols that have been designed for dental stem cells 22 .…”

“…The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a connective tissue surrounding the tooth root that contains a source of human NCSCs which can be accessed with minimal technical requirements and little inconvenience to the donor 15 . Isolation and characterization of multipotent stem cells from the human PDL have been previously described 16,17 .…”

“…Moreover, hPDLSCs expressed ion channel receptors 19 and displayed inward currents conducted through voltage-gated sodium (Na+) channels and spontaneous electrical activities after neurogenic differentiation 20,21 . Therefore, the neural crest origin 14,15 and neural differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] , make human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) interesting for investigating stem cell to neuron differentiation mechanisms.…”

Intermittent compressive force promotes osteogenic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells by regulating the transforming growth factor-β pathway

“…The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a connective tissue that links the tooth root to alveolar bone 1,2 . Fibroblasts are the main cell type residing in the PDL 3 .…”

Non-proliferative adult neurogenesis in neural crest-derived stem cells isolated from human periodontal ligament

“…The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a connective tissue surrounding the tooth root that contains a source of human NCSCs which can be accessed with minimal technical requirements and little inconvenience to 5 the donor [41]. Isolation and characterization of multipotent stem cells from the human PDL have been previously described [42,43].…”