Comparative Analysis of the Immunomodulatory Functions of Dental Follicle Stem Cells and Their Apoptotic Vesicles

The significant immunomodulatory capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is increasingly being recognized, making them valuable for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. MSCs influence immune cell behavior during therapy through intercellular communication mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs). Moreover, MSC-derived apoptotic vesicles (apoEVs) can also exert immunomodulatory functions. This study compared the effects of dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and smaller apoptotic vesicles (apoSEVs) derived from DFSCs on the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as well as their impact on T cell subpopulations and inflammatory factor expression. The results showed that apoSEVs derived from DFSCs significantly enhanced PBMC proliferation, inhibited Th1, Th17, and Treg cell populations, and reduced IFN-γ and TNF-α expression levels. These findings demonstrate that apoSEVsapoSEVs from DFSCs can effectively regulate immune responses in a manner similar to that of DFSCs themselves.