Oral epithelial stem cells: evaluation of response to injury and self-renew capacity

Abstract

The oral mucosa has been increasingly used as a source of cells for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as it has a rapid turnover that can be interpreted as strong self-renewal ability. So far, it is known that the epithelial stem cells are rare and located in specific niches, but their isolation remains a challenge. Currently in Sao Paulo we are attempting to identify, isolate and characterize a population of progenitors/stem cells from oral keratinocyte cultures based on cell surface markers. Further in London (England), we aim test these cells behavior by doing in vivo analysis using the mouse genetic model sat KCL. (AU)