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Abstract In recent decades, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have gained momentum in the field of cell therapy for treating cartilage and bone injuries. Despite the tri-lineage multipotency, proliferative properties, and potent immunomodulatory effects of hMSCs, their clinical potential is hindered by donor variations, limiting their use in medical settings. To address this challenge, gene delivery technologies have emerged as a promising approach to modulate the phenotype and commitment of hMSCs towards specific cell lineages, thereby enhancing osteochondral repair strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current non-viral gene delivery approaches used to engineer MSCs, highlighting key factors such as the choice of nucleic acid or delivery vector, transfection strategies, and experimental parameters. Additionally, it outlines various protocols and methods for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of their therapeutic potential as a delivery system in osteochondral regenerative applications. In summary, this technical review offers a practical guide for optimizing non-viral systems in osteochondral regenerative approaches. Graphical Abstract hMSCs constitute a key target population for gene therapy techniques. Nevertheless, there is a long way to go for their translation into clinical treatments. In this review, we remind the most relevant transfection conditions to be optimized, such as the type of nucleic acid or delivery vector, the transfection strategy, and the experimental parameters to accurately evaluate a delivery system. This survey provides a practical guide to optimizing non-viral systems for osteochondral regenerative approaches.

Senescence is a process characterized by a prolonged irreversible cell-cycle arrest. The accumulation of senescent cells in tissues is related to aging and to the development of age-related diseases. Recently, gene therapy has emerged as a powerful tool for treating age-associated diseases by the transference of specific genes into the target cell population. However, the high sensitivity of senescent cells significantly precludes their genetic modification via classical viral and non-viral systems. Niosomes are self-assembled non-viral nanocarriers that exhibit important advantages due to their elevated cytocompatibility, versatility, and cost-efficiency, arising as a new alternative for genetic modification of senescent cells. In this work, we explore for the first time the use of niosomes for genetic modification of senescent umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells. We report that niosome composition greatly affected transfection efficiency; those formulations prepared in medium with sucrose and containing cholesterol as helper lipid being the most suitable to transfect senescent cells. Moreover, resulting niosome formulations exhibited a superior transfection efficiency with a markedly less cytotoxicity than the commercial reagent Lipofectamine. These findings highlight the potentiality of niosomes as effective vectors for genetic modification of senescent cells, providing new tools for the prevention and/or treatment of age-related diseases.

Purpose: Bone tissue engineering is a promising approach for bone reconstruction in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the microstructure and biocompatibility of a novel albumin scaffold developed from human serum on human alveolar osteoblasts. Materials and Methods: Samples of mandibular bone were obtained during routine oral surgery. Osteoblast cells were cultured and plated in a spongy, noncalcified protein scaffold prepared with plasmatic albumin crossed with a glutaraldehyde-type agent (study group) and in a large-particle mineralized cancellous allograft (control group). Measurement of the differentiation marker alkaline phosphatase and histologic examination were performed after 30 days of incubation. The cultures were examined for cell growth patterns and morphology by scanning electron microscopy and histomorphometry. Results: Cultured osteoblasts showed comparable phenotypic profiles and expressed alkaline phosphatase in albumin scaffold. Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed a bonelike extracellular matrix in study scaffold and mineralization of osteoblasts cultured in the albumin scaffold was confirmed by von Kossa staining. Conclusion: Osteoblasts were able to proliferate in vitro and synthesize a bonelike extracellular matrix and mineralized tissue. The results indicate that this novel albumin scaffold is a favorable substrate for the growth and differentiation of osteoblasts and a promising material for bone tissue engineering and repair of bone defects. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2010;25:699-705. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autologous bone graft is considered the gold standard for oral and maxillofacial rehabilitation. The purpose of these case reports is to present the palate as a donor site in the oral and maxillofacial region. A surgical technique of palatal bone grafting with computer-aided design is proposed. Computed tomography and three-dimensional study with a software program (Simplant) were used to evaluate bone quality and quantity at the palatal donor site and also provide a preoperative planning tool for placement of implants. This software was also used to determine the amount of bone needed for the implant site. A palatal marginal incision was made and a full-thickness flap was elevated from the central incisor region to the premolar region. A bone trephine was used to harvest corticocancellous palatal blocks. No swelling or hematomas were found at any donor sites. Simplant software can map the bone within a defined palatal area and provide important information about the quality and quantity of bone in the donor area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical presentation, risk factors, radiologic features, histopathologic and microbiological findings, treatment, and evolution of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (BONJ). Methods: This study made a retrospective review of 21 patients who underwent treatment and diagnosis of BONJ during 2004 to 2007 in a tertiary health care center reference for 1,100,000 inhabitants. Results: The mean patient age at the time of presentation was 65.1 years. Of the 21 patients observed, 19 (90.4%) were receiving intravenous zoledronate. Of the 21 patients, 15 were treated with bisphosphonates for bone metastasis (71.4%), 5 for multiple myeloma (23.8%), and 1 for rheumatoid arthritis (4.7%). In 17 patients, the lesions occurred in the mandible. Fifteen patients had previous tooth extractions at the same site of bone necrosis. Conclusion: In our series, most patients improved with conservative surgical debridement. Prospective clinical trials would enable clinicians to make accurate judgments about risk, treatment, and outcome for patients with BONJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Osteopetroses represent a heterogeneous group of rare, hereditary bony dysplasias. They range from a devastating neurometabolic disease (including severe malignant infantile osteopetrosis) to 2 more benign conditions principally affecting adults: autosomal dominant osteopetrosis (ADO) type I and type II. The present study describes the maxillofacial manifestations associated with the 2 subgroups of ADO. In this paper, we present the oldest patient described in the literature with ADO type I (76 years old). We also document the first ADO type II patient described in the literature with synchronic osteomyelitis of the mandible and the maxilla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. The ameloblastic fibroma is an odontogenic tumour with an unusual presentation. It is considered to have both epithelial and mesenchymal elements, but it läcks any calcifled dental structures. Two new cases are presented. The first of these began as a mandibular tumour whereas the second was discovered by chance. The radiographic finding in each case was a unilocular cystic radiolucency. Treatment consisted of excisional biopsy by enucleation in both patients. Histopathological findings were consistent with ameloblastic fibroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]