title: Transplantation of embryonic stem cells improves the regeneration of periodontal furcation defects in a porcine model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stem cell-based therapy promises to regenerate lost tissue. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent and may provide a virtually unlimited source for transplantation. We investigated whether ES cell transplantation improved the regeneration of furcation defects in a porcine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental periodontitis was induced in the buccal furcations of the bilateral mandibular 2nd premolars of six minipigs. After 4 weeks, the lesions were surgically debrided and implanted with collagen matrix alone (control site) or collagen matrix overlaid with porcine ES cells expressing green fluorescent protein (pES/GFP(+) ) (test site). After 3 months of healing, the clinical parameters were measured again. The treated teeth with adjacent tissue, and part of the major organs, were processed for GFP immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no obvious teratoma or rejection. The test group had significantly better clinical parameters. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that transplanted pES/GFP(+) cells had differentiated to new periodontal ligament and cementum in the test sites. Surprisingly, GFP(+) cells were also detectable in the repaired control cementum and remote organs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that using ES cells to improve the regeneration of periodontal furcation defects is feasible. More studies are required to assess this potential treatment's efficacy and safety.
authors: Division of Physiology, Livestock Research Institute, Council of Agriculture Executive Yuan, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Jenn-Rong
authors: JR
authors: Yang
authors: Chia-Wen
authors: CW
authors: Hsu
authors: Shih-Chung
authors: SC
authors: Liao
authors: Yu-Ting
authors: YT
authors: Lin
authors: Lih-Ren
authors: LR
authors: Chen
authors: Kuo
authors: K
authors: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D025021:Cementogenesis; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000601:surgery*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D012038:Regeneration; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
chemical_list: D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins