Published online Nov 26, 2021. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i11.1625
Peer-review started: February 27, 2021
First decision: April 20, 2021
Revised: May 14, 2021
Accepted: August 27, 2021
Article in press: August 27, 2021
Published online: November 26, 2021
Processing time: 270 Days and 13.9 Hours
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have attracted intense interest in the field of dental tissue regeneration. Dental tissue is a popular source of MSCs because MSCs can be obtained with minimally invasive procedures. MSCs possess distinct inherent properties of self-renewal, immunomodulation, proangiogenic potential, and multilineage potency, as well as being readily available and easy to culture. However, major issues, including poor engraftment and low survival rates in vivo, remain to be resolved before large-scale application is feasible in clinical treatments. Thus, some recent investigations have sought ways to optimize MSC functions in vitro and in vivo. Currently, priming culture conditions, pretreatment with mechanical and physical stimuli, preconditioning with cytokines and growth factors, and genetic modification of MSCs are considered to be the main strategies; all of which could contribute to improving MSC efficacy in dental regenerative medicine. Research in this field has made tremendous progress and continues to gather interest and stimulate innovation. In this review, we summarize the priming approaches for enhancing the intrinsic biological properties of MSCs such as migration, antiapoptotic effect, proangiogenic potential, and regenerative properties. Challenges in current approaches associated with MSC modification and possible future solutions are also indicated. We aim to outline the present understanding of priming approaches to improve the therapeutic effects of MSCs on dental tissue regeneration.
Core Tip: Undoubtedly, the efficacy associated with the survival and regenerative properties of unmodified mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) cannot be overemphasized. These properties cannot be augmented until these cells are enhanced by priming approaches to protect MSCs against an inhospitable microenvironment in vivo. In this review, we focus on discussing the current MSC priming approaches in the field of dental tissue regeneration. As a promising outcome, primed MSCs can exhibit prolonged therapeutic efficacy and can be applied to the clinical treatment of some dental diseases in the near future.