Resumen

MINIGGIO, HD  y  RAUBENHEIMER, EJ. Epithelial cell rests of Malassez: From quiescent remnants to front-runners in periodontal homeostasis and regeneration. A brief review. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2016, vol.71, n.2, pp.54-57. ISSN 0375-1562.

In recent years, research has been directed towards elucidating the physiological role played by the epithelial cell rests of Malassez within the periodontal ligament and surrounding alveolar bone. These unique structures were, for many years, considered to be quiescent remnants of development, but are now emerging as key role-players in the maintenance of periodontal health and are also implicated in bone resorption through secretion of bone resorption mediators. Reviews on this topic are infrequent in the dental literature and the notable advances regarding the cytokine profile of the epithelial cell rests of Malassez and their autocrine and paracrine roles in the periodontal tissues make it opportune to review their physiological roles in maintaining periodontal health. Furthermore, experiments have established that epithelial cell rests of Malassez contain stem cells that can undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, placing these cells at the centre of periodontal regeneration.

Palabras clave : epithelial cell rests of Malassez; epidermal growth factor; periodontal homeostasis; periodontal regeneration; paracrine signaling; bone remodeling.

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