Advances in the roles and mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell derived microRNAs on periodontal tissue regeneration

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent oral diseases leading to tooth loss in adults, and is characterized by the destruction of periodontal supporting structures. Traditional therapies for periodontitis cannot achieve ideal regeneration of the periodontal tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising approach to periodontal tissue regeneration. Recently, the prominent role of MSCs in this context has been attributed to microRNAs (miRNAs), which participate in post-transcriptional regulation and are crucial for various physiological and pathological processes. Additionally, they function as indispensable elements in extracellular vesicles, which protect them from degradation. In periodontitis, MSCs-derived miRNAs play a pivotal role in cellular proliferation and differentiation, angiogenesis of periodontal tissues, regulating autophagy, providing anti-apoptotic effects, and mediating the inflammatory microenvironment. As a cell-free strategy, their small size and ability to target related sets of genes and regulate signaling networks predispose miRNAs to become ideal candidates for periodontal tissue regeneration. This review aims to introduce and summarize the potential functions and mechanisms of MSCs-derived miRNAs in periodontal tissue repair and regeneration.