Scientists have identified stem
cells in jaw bone that can make new cartilage and repair damaged joints. The cells
reside within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which articulates the jaw bone
to the skull. When the stem cells were manipulated in animals with TMJ degeneration,
the cells repaired cartilage in the joint, according to the researchers. A single
cell transplanted in a mouse spontaneously generated cartilage and bone and
even began to form a bone marrow niche. This is very exciting for the field
because patients who have problems with their jaws and TMJs are very limited in
terms of clinical treatments available. Options for treatment currently include
either surgery or palliative care, which addresses symptoms but cannot
regenerate the damaged tissue. Researchers finding suggest that stem cells
already present in the joint could be manipulated to repair it. Cartilage helps
to cushion the joints and allows them to move smoothly.
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