Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells: Regenerative Potency in Periodontium

The document from 2019 reviews the regenerative potential of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in periodontium therapy and broader regenerative medicine applications. PDLSCs are highlighted for their multipotency, self-renewal capacity, and immunomodulatory effects, with the ability to differentiate into various cell types, including neural and pancreatic cells. Challenges such as the rarity of PDLSCs and the need for genetic approaches to enhance their availability are discussed. Studies have shown PDLSCs can regenerate periodontium and other tissues in animal models and human clinical trials, with varying sample sizes indicating promising results. The document also explores the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and direct cell reprogramming as alternative sources for PDLSCs, while noting the associated risks such as tumorigenesis. It concludes that further research is needed to confirm the efficacy of PDLSCs in larger studies and to develop safe methods for generating these cells for therapeutic use. The document also mentions that it is awaiting final publication edits, which may result in changes to the content.