Gene therapy in dentistry: a review.
Gene therapy is an emerging field of biomedicine that has commanded considerable scientific and popular attention. Genes are specific sequences of bases that encode instructions to make proteins. When genes are altered so that encoded proteins are unable to carry out their normal functions, genetic disorders can result. Gene therapy essentially consists of introducing specific genetic material into target cells to compensate for abnormal genes or to make a beneficial protein without producing toxic effects on surrounding tissue. Transferred genes can be used for either reparative or pharmacological purposes. Applications of gene therapy to dental and oral problems illustrate the potential impact of this technology on dentistry. This review provides an update on transfer techniques and clinical implications of gene therapy in dentistry.
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, RKDF Dental College and Research Center, Bhopal, India. shilpashree.sarapur@gmail.com
H S
HS
Shilpashree
Shriprasad
S
Sarapur
D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000628:therapy