TLR-induced immunomodulatory cytokine expression by human gingival stem/progenitor cells

During therapeutic application, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may interact with their environment via their expressed toll-like-receptors (TLRs) leading to pro-or anti-inflammatory immune responses. The present study aimed to describe the gingival margin-derived stem/progenitor cells' (G-MSCs) TLR-induced immune regulatory response to specific TLR agonists. Gingival cells were obtained, immunomagnetically sorted via anti-STRO-1 antibodies and seeded out to achieve colony forming units (CFUs). G-MSCs were investigated for stem cell characteristics and TLR expression. Specific TLR agonists were applied and m-RNA expression of pro-and anti-inflammatory factors was analyzed via real-time polymerase chain reaction. G-MSCs showed all characteristics of stem/progenitor cells. All TLR agonists induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, except for the TLR3 agonist, which significantly promoted the anti-inflammatory response. (p <= 0.05, Wilcoxon-Signed-Ranks-Test). TLR-induced immunomodulation by G-MSCs could impact their therapeutic potential in vivo. Two distinctive pro-inflammatory and an anti-inflammatory TLR-induced phenotypes of G-MSCs become noticeable in this study. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.