Microscopic cell sheet applied to damaged bone, periostin molecules glowing to highlight healing.

Can Cell Sheet Therapy Fix Bone Defects? The Future of Periodontal Care

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring how cell sheet applications using periostin could revolutionize treatments for one-wall bone defects in Macaca nemestrina and beyond."

Periodontal disease, a widespread oral health issue, often leads to significant bone and tissue damage, causing tooth loss and impacting overall oral health. Traditional treatments primarily focus on managing the disease, but regenerative therapies aim to rebuild lost tissues, restoring function and aesthetics.

One promising avenue is cell sheet therapy, a tissue engineering approach that utilizes cell sheets to promote regeneration in damaged areas. These sheets, composed of cells and their extracellular matrix, can be applied to bone defects, offering a potential solution for rebuilding lost bone and supporting tissue. Macaca nemestrina, or the pig-tailed macaque, serves as a valuable model in these studies due to its similarities to human oral anatomy and physiology.

Recent research has explored the application of cell sheet therapy in treating one-wall bone defects, a common challenge in periodontal care. By evaluating the expression of periostin, a protein crucial for tissue regeneration, scientists are gaining insights into the effectiveness of this innovative approach. This article delves into the potential of cell sheet therapy, its mechanisms, and its future implications for periodontal treatment.

Understanding Cell Sheet Therapy and Periostin's Role

Microscopic cell sheet applied to damaged bone, periostin molecules glowing to highlight healing.

Cell sheet therapy is a cutting-edge approach in regenerative medicine that involves using sheets of cells, cultivated in a lab, to repair damaged tissues. Unlike traditional methods that may require scaffolds or other supporting materials, cell sheets retain the cell's native extracellular matrix, promoting better integration and functionality within the host tissue.

Periostin, a protein found in the periodontal ligament and bone, plays a crucial role in tissue regeneration and repair. It's involved in collagen formation, cell adhesion, and matrix remodeling, all vital processes for rebuilding damaged periodontal tissues. Monitoring periostin expression can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of cell sheet therapy and the overall healing process.

Enhanced Tissue Regeneration: Cell sheets provide a natural environment for cells to thrive and regenerate tissues effectively.
Improved Integration: The native extracellular matrix promotes better integration with the host tissue, leading to more stable and functional outcomes.
Targeted Healing: Cell sheet therapy allows for targeted application to specific defect areas, maximizing the regenerative potential.

In a study using Macaca nemestrina, researchers investigated the application of cell sheet therapy combined with chitosan and RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) to treat one-wall bone defects. Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, and RGD, a cell adhesion peptide, were used to enhance cell attachment and promote tissue regeneration. The study aimed to evaluate the expression of periostin in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as an indicator of healing and bone regeneration.

The Future of Cell Sheet Therapy in Periodontal Care

Cell sheet therapy holds immense potential for transforming periodontal care, offering a regenerative approach to treat bone defects and restore lost tissues. As research progresses, the optimization of cell sheet composition, delivery methods, and combination with other regenerative factors will further enhance its effectiveness. By harnessing the power of periostin and other key molecules, cell sheet therapy promises to revolutionize the way we approach periodontal treatment, providing patients with more predictable, long-lasting, and esthetically pleasing outcomes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1088/1742-6596/884/1/012039, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Cell Sheet Application On One Wall Bone Defect In Macaca Nemestrina Through Periostin Expression

Subject: General Physics and Astronomy

Journal: Journal of Physics: Conference Series

Publisher: IOP Publishing

Authors: R Y Tamin, Y Soeroso, L Amir, E Idrus

Published: 2017-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is cell sheet therapy and how does it work to repair damaged tissues?

Cell sheet therapy is a regenerative medicine approach where sheets of cells, grown in a lab, are used to repair damaged tissues. These sheets retain the cell's native extracellular matrix, promoting better integration and functionality within the host tissue. This differs from traditional methods as it avoids the need for scaffolds, enhancing tissue regeneration and integration.

What is periostin and what role does it play in tissue regeneration, especially in the context of periodontal care?

Periostin is a protein found in the periodontal ligament and bone. It plays a vital role in tissue regeneration and repair by participating in collagen formation, cell adhesion, and matrix remodeling. Monitoring periostin expression indicates the effectiveness of cell sheet therapy and the overall healing process.

How was cell sheet therapy applied in the study mentioned, particularly in the context of one-wall bone defects and using Macaca nemestrina?

In the context of treating bone defects, the study used Macaca nemestrina as a model. Researchers applied cell sheet therapy along with chitosan and RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) to one-wall bone defects. Chitosan, a polysaccharide, and RGD, a cell adhesion peptide, enhance cell attachment and promote tissue regeneration. The expression of periostin in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was monitored as an indicator of healing.

What are the key advantages of using cell sheet therapy for treating bone defects?

Cell sheet therapy offers enhanced tissue regeneration because the sheets provide a natural environment for cells to thrive. It also improves integration with the host tissue due to the native extracellular matrix, leading to stable and functional outcomes. The therapy allows targeted application to specific defect areas, maximizing regenerative potential.

What does the future hold for cell sheet therapy in periodontal care, and what are the potential benefits for patients?

The future of cell sheet therapy in periodontal care involves optimizing cell sheet composition, delivery methods, and combining it with other regenerative factors. This advancement aims to treat bone defects and restore lost tissues more effectively. Harnessing the power of periostin and other key molecules promises more predictable, long-lasting, and esthetically pleasing outcomes in periodontal treatment. It could also lead to reduced reliance on traditional methods that primarily manage disease rather than regenerate tissue.