Gingival mesenchymal stem cells

The human gingiva, characterized by its outstanding scarless wound healing properties, is a unique tissue and a pivotal component of the periodontal apparatus, investing and surrounding the teeth in their sockets in the alveolar bone. In the last year's gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (GMSCs), with promising regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, have been isolated and characterized from the gingival lamina propria. These cells, in contrast to other mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell (MSC) sources, are abundant, readily accessible and easily obtainable through minimally invasive cell isolation techniques. This short communication summarizes the current scientific evidence on GMSCs.