Researchers demonstrate how changing the stem cell response to
inflammation may reverse periodontal disease

Date:
October 2, 2020
Source:
Forsyth Institute
Summary:
Scientists have discovered that a specific type of molecule may
stimulate stem cells to regenerate, reversing the inflammation
caused by periodontal disease.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a serious infection
that affects nearly 50 percent of Americans aged 30 years and older. If
left unchecked, periodontal disease can destroy the jawbone and lead to
tooth loss.

The disease is also associated with higher risk of diabetes and
cardiovascular disease.


==========================================================================
The current treatment for periodontal disease involves opening the
infected gum flaps and adding bone grafts to strengthen the teeth. But in
new research published recently in the journal Frontiers in Immunology,
Forsyth Institute scientists have discovered that a specific type
of molecule may stimulate stem cells to regenerate, reversing the
inflammation caused by periodontal disease.

This finding could lead to the development of new therapeutics to treat
a variety of systemic diseases that are characterized by inflammation
in the body.

For the study, Dr. Alpdogan Kantarci, his PhD student Dr. Emmanuel
Albuquerque, and their team removed stem cells from previously extracted
wisdom teeth and placed the stem cells onto petri dishes. The researchers
then created a simulated inflammatory periodontal disease environment
in the petri dishes.

Next, they added two specific types of synthetic molecules called
Maresin-1 and Resolvin-E1, both specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators
from omega-3 fatty acids. The scientists found that Mar1 and RvE1
stimulated the stem cells to regenerate even under the inflammatory
conditions.

"Both Maresin-1 and Resolvin-1 reprogrammed the cellular phenotype of
the human stem cells, showing that even in response to inflammation,
it is possible to boost capacity of the stem cells so they can become regenerative," said Dr.

Kantarci, Associate Member of Staff at the Forsyth Institute.

This finding is important because it allows scientists to identify
the specific protein pathways involved in inflammation. Those same
protein pathways are consistent across many systemic diseases, including periodontal disease, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and obesity.

"Now that we understand how these molecules stimulate the differentiation
of stem cells in different tissues and reverse inflammation at a critical
point in time, the mechanism we identified could one day be used for
building complex organs" said Dr. Kantarci. "There is exciting potential
for reprogramming stem cells to focus on building tissues."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Forsyth_Institute. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Emmanuel Albuquerque-Souza, Fabian Schulte, Tsute Chen, Markus
Hardt,
Hatice Hasturk, Thomas E. Van Dyke, Marinella Holzhausen,
Alpdogan Kantarci. Maresin-1 and Resolvin E1 Promote
Regenerative Properties of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Under
Inflammatory Conditions. Frontiers in Immunology, 2020; 11 DOI:
10.3389/fimmu.2020.585530 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002114001.htm

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