Oral progenitor cells for disease treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Oral Mucosa Lamina Propria-Progenitor Cells as a Potential Cell-Based Treatment for Disease
IRAS ID
160886
Contact name
Philip Stephens
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Wounds in the mouth heal extremely well compared to normal skin wounds in that they demonstrate little or no scarring. We have been investigating the cells from soft tissues within the mouth and have shown that they are different to skin cells and in fact are more like foetal cells. This suggested that the cells from the mouth may actually be more like stem cells. Our recent work has identified such a stem cell-like cell within the mouth that can make various tissue types, are potent at down-regulating the immune system and have anti-bacterial properties. Hence, such cells may be useful to (a) help repair/regenerate damaged or diseased tissue, (b) help down regulate the immune system during transplantation or after individuals have suffered from an auto-immune diseases and (c) be useful in combating infections/cancer. Importantly, because tissue containing the oral cells is easy to access and heals without a scar this could be the preferential source for stem cells for patient therapy in the future. Specifically, the aim of this study is to isolate and characterise human oral progenitor cells for investigation into the amelioration of kidney disease. A single buccal mucosal (from the inside of the cheek) sample (6mm diameter biopsy) will be obtained from twenty healthy patients undergoing surgery at the Dental Hospital, Cardiff University. Patients will not be recruited into surgery specifically as part of this investigation, rather biopsies will be obtained from patients as part of their ongoing treatment within the hospital. Participation will be fully informed and consented. These progenitor cells will be used to investigate whether kidney function can be restored using an off-patient kidney model system and animal models of kidney disease.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
14/WS/1135
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion