human dental follicle stem cells

Human dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) are multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells derived from the dental follicle, a loose connective tissue sac surrounding the unerupted tooth germ. These cells exhibit high proliferation rates and multilineage differentiation potential, including osteogenic (bone), adipogenic (fat), and neurogenic (nerve-like) lineages. DFSCs play a critical role in tooth development by regulating bone remodeling through modulation of osteoblast and osteoclast activity. They have demonstrated immunomodulatory properties—such as inhibiting proinflammatory lymphocyte proliferation and promoting anti-inflammatory Treg cell expansion—and secrete extracellular vesicles that influence local tissue environments. Preclinical studies show DFSCs can promote periodontal regeneration, modulate inflammatory responses via periostin-mediated macrophage polarization, and may be beneficial for oral tissue regeneration as well as neurological injury repair. Their ease of isolation from extracted teeth makes them promising candidates for regenerative medicine applications in dentistry and potentially neurology[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

DFSCsdental follicle stem cellsDFCs