Characterization of human apical papilla-derived stem cells

Dental tissues represent an alternative and promising source of post-natal Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tissue engineering. Furthermore, dental stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) cells can be obtained from the wisdom tooth which is unnecessary for human masticatory function and frequently extracted for orthodontic reasons or dysodontiasis. More precisely, apical papilla is the immature, mostly uncalcified, precursor of the tooth root, therefore is composed of more undifferentiated cells than dental pulp. In addition, tooth extraction, especially by piezosurgery technique, can be considered less invasive in comparison to bone marrow or other tissues biopsy. Our work is aimed to investigate the safety of and predictable procedure on surgical immature third molar extraction and to provide new insight on SCAP research for future biomedical applications. The isolated cells were examined for stem cell properties by analyzing their colony-forming efficiency, differentiation characteristics and the expression of MSC markers.

Comparison of periodontal microbiological patterns in Italian spouses

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether periodontopathogens are transmitted from husband to wife or vice versa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We tested the microbiological profile of 9 couples married for at least 10 years suffering from periodontitis. The microbiological analysis provides the quantification by Real-Time PCR of six main periodontopathogens, including P. gingivalis, T. denticola, T. forsythia, F. nucleatum ssp. polymorphum, P. intermedia, A. actinomycetemcomitans and genotype of P. gingivalis FimA in 90 subgingival plaque samples.

RESULTS

The microbiological profiles highlighted a quite similar composition of oral microbial flora among husband and wife. Statistical results revealed a very high Pearson correlation values for the microbiological profiles in all 9 spouses. Additionally, five couples out of nine showed statistically similar values for the microbiological profile as determined by the Wilcoxon rank Sign test. We provided also a strong validation for the horizontal transmission of oral pathogens in the detection of the same genotype of P. gingivalis FimA in the spouses.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of periodontitis in one member of the couple is a strong indicator of risk for the colonization of the spouse by periodontophatic bacteria. This study confirms that periodontal disease can be transmitted suggesting the importance of an early detection of oral pathogens in familial pattern of periodontitis to clarify the source of infection in order to assess correct prevention protocols based on potential infectivity within spouses.

VDR TaqI polymorphism is associated with chronic periodontitis in Italian population

AIM

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between a vitamin D receptor polymorphism and the diagnosis of periodontal disease in non-smoker Italian patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNA was obtained from the internal cheek mucosa of 115 patients with chronic periodontitis, 58 with aggressive periodontitis and 65 healthy controls. Allelic discrimination was performed using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated.

RESULTS

Comparisons between diseased patients and healthy controls showed significant differences. Moreover, calculating the odds ratio, individuals with the TT genotype, was more susceptible than individuals with tt to chronic periodontitis and individuals with Tt to aggressive periodontitis. Interestingly, the dominant model (TT + Tt vs. tt) was applicable to chronic periodontitis, whilst for aggressive periodontitis the recessive model (TT vs. Tt + tt) gave the highest odds ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicated that VDR TaqI polymorphism is differentially associated with development of chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis in Italian population. The study of VDR polymorphisms may therefore be essential for the prevention of periodontitis and for a pre-treatment periodontal and/or for implant assessment. Moreover VDR TaqI polymorphism could be useful to discriminate between aggressive and chronic forms of periodontal disease.