Cell transplantation in wounded mixed connective tissues.

Direct transplantation of multipotent precursor cells into the periodontium could provide a therapeutic approach for restoring periodontal tissues destroyed by periodontitis or trauma. To improve the understanding of cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation, we used a rodent model combining orthodontic tooth movement and transplantation of Lac-Z-positive murine-cultured periodontal ligament (PL) or femur-derived bone marrow precursor cells into a defined mandibular wound site, thus promoting tissue regeneration in wounded periodontium. Our results show that in orthodontically traumatized tissues, transplanted PL and bone marrow cells migrated systemically, contributing to the repopulation of sites with reduced cell/matrix density.