Gingival papilla mesencymal stromal cells and their potential role in clinical dentistry

In the last few years, great advances have been made in exploring the clinical potential of oral and dental stem cells. Indeed, in dentistry, the restoration of tooth and periodontal tissues is now focusing on the use of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) of oral origins, such as tooth pulp (DPSCs), periodontal ligament (PDLSCs), dental follicle (DFPCs) and apical papilla (SCAPs). In particular, thanks to the easy and minimally invasive withdrawal procedure, oral soft tissues represent a convenient source of MSCs. Gingival tissue is composed by a variety of cell types and in the oral environment it represents the first important barrier against external offensive insults (e.g. chemicals, viruses and bacteria); another peculiar property of gingiva is its rapid wound-healing process and the absence of scarring. Here we investigated the phenotype and the possible function of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from gingival papilla.