title: Multipotent progenitor cells in gingival connective tissue.
abstract: The gum has an exceptional capacity for healing. To examine the basis for this property and explore the potential of conferring it to organs with inferior healing capacity, we sought the presence of progenitor cells in gingival connective tissue. Colony-forming units of fibroblast-enriched cells from gingival fibroblast cultures were assessed for expression of membrane markers of mesenchymal stem cells; capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondroblasts, and adipocytes; and engraftment efficiency after in vivo transfer. On the basis of their ability to differentiate into several lineages, proliferate from single cells, induce calcium deposits, and secrete collagen in vivo after transfer on hydroxyapatite carriers, we suggest that this population represents gingival multipotent progenitor cells. The discovery of progenitor cells in gingival connective tissue may help improve our understanding of how the wounded gum is capable of almost perfect healing and opens the prospect of cellular therapy for wound healing using readily available cells at limited risk to the patient.
authors.affiliation: Paris Research Cardiovascular Center (PARCC), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) U970, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France. ciyiben@gmail.com
authors.forename: Benjamin P J
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: François C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Ferre
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Couty
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lataillade
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gourven
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naveau
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coulomb
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lafont
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gogly
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium