Autophagy in Oral Tissue Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review

The oral cavity is a unique environment that requires constant regeneration, and autophagy plays a crucial role in this process. This is particularly important in the presence of bacterial colonizers that can cause oral diseases through infection and immune reactions. Studies have shown that autophagy regulates the burden of infectious agents, limits inflammatory pathologies, regulates cell differentiation, and coordinates immunity, making it an essential process in oral tissue regeneration.

Despite the significance of autophagy in oral tissue regeneration, no systematic reviews have been conducted to explore this topic. This review aims to address this gap by focusing on how autophagy contributes to stem cell regulation and the regeneration of different components of oral tissue. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in autophagy-regulated oral tissue regeneration and how it can be regulated with small molecule drugs, biomaterials, exosomes/RNAs, or other specific treatments.

While our review provides valuable insights into the role of autophagy in oral tissue regeneration, there is still much to learn about this process. Future mechanistic studies are necessary to address the remaining questions and to develop effective therapies for oral tissue regeneration. This review will serve as a useful resource for further autophagy studies in oral tissue regeneration and other tissues, and we hope to provide new perspectives on human tissue regeneration.