ArticleBMC oral health2025
Treg cell-derived exosomal miR-21 promotes osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells.
Article in BMC oral health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The Role of Regulatory T Cells in Periodontitis With or Without Systemic Diseases: A Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Pooled it
- Review
- Immune Microenvironment Engineering for Functional Periodontal Regeneration: Mechanisms, Biomaterial Strategies, and Translational Perspectives.Biotechnology journal · 2026Review
- Extracellular Vesicles as Orchestrators of Osteoimmunomodulation in Peri-Implantitis: Implications for Bone Regeneration.Clinical implant dentistry and related research · 2026Review
- Innovative Titanium Implants Coated with miR-21-Loaded Nanoparticle for Peri-Implantitis Prevention.Pharmaceutics · 2026Article
- Application of the miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in periodontal inflammation.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundRegulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintaining immune tolerance and have been implicated in tissue regeneration; however, their role in periodontal regeneration remains poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of Treg cell-derived exosomes (Treg-Exos), particularly those carrying microRNA-21 (miR-21), on the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and periodontal tissue regeneration.
methodsAfter co-culturing Treg cells or Treg-Exos with PDLSCs respectively in vitro, the osteogenic differentiation of treated PDLSCs was assessed through Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red staining, and the expression of osteogenic markers runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2) and Osterix. The functional role of miR-21 in Treg-Exos was assessed via gain- and loss-of-function experiments, involving transfection of Treg cells with miR-21 mimics or inhibitors. In vivo, a mice periodontal defect model was established via silk ligation and Porphyromonas gingivalis inoculation. Subsequently, Treg-Exos were locally administered into defects to assess their potential in promoting periodontal tissue regeneration. The regenerative efficacy was evaluated using micro-CT and histological analysis.
resultsTreg cell levels were significantly elevated in periodontitis patients compared to healthy controls. Both Treg cells and Treg-Exos markedly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs in vitro, as evidenced by increased ALP activity, enhanced mineralization, and upregulated Runx-2/Osterix expression. Exosomes derived from miR-21-overexpressing Treg cells further promoted PDLSC osteogenesis, whereas exosomes with miR-21 knockdown exhibited an inhibitory effect. In vivo, Treg-Exos injection alleviated periodontal damage and improved tissue morphology compared to PBS controls, as demonstrated by micro-CT and histological analyses.
conclusionTreg cell-derived exosomal miR-21 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, enhancing periodontal tissue regeneration in vivo, suggesting that Treg cells and their exosomal miR-21 may serve as promising therapeutic targets for periodontitis.
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