Effect Of Local And Systemic Inflammation On Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of local and systemic inflammation on the quantity and localisation of gingival mesenchymal stem cells (gMSCs). Materials & Methods: Gingival samples were collected from 34 systemically healthy (Group1) and 10 consenting adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (Group2) who had reported for various dental treatment requiring excision of gingival tissues as part thereof. The tissue samples were further stratified into three categories: healthy gingiva, gingivitis-affected and periodontitis-affected. Samples mounted on slides were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) while CD105 antibody was used for immunohistochemistry staining. Immuno-positive cells were identified as gMSCs. Three gMSC-populated areas in each sample were selected to determine the density of gMSCs. Results: The density of gMSCs was significantly more (p<0.05) in sections of gingival tissues affected by gingivitis and periodontitis compared to those of normal gingiva. However there were no significant difference in the densities of gMSCs in tissues of T2DM and that of healthy patients. Conclusions: Local inflammatory status appears to increase the density of gMSCs. In the presence of periodontitis, an added low-grade systemic inflammation (T2DM) does not appear to affect the density of gMSCs.