Autophagy's Role in Human Oral Tissue Regeneration: From Periodontal Disease to Stem Cell Function

In addition to its direct regulation of stem cell function, autophagy also plays diverse roles in different parts of the human oral cavity (Figure 3). This section will explore the role of autophagy in tissue regeneration in different anatomical sites of the oral cavity, as well as discussing certain inflammatory oral diseases that are accompanied by oral tissue regeneration.

Autophagy plays a significant role in periodontal tissue regeneration, as periodontitis is a common infectious disease in the oral cavity that can eventually lead to tooth loss [47]. In patients with periodontitis, autophagy serves as a critical tool in combating pathogenic infections and regulating the immune response. Cellular autophagy is an effective defense mechanism against bacterial infections and excessive inflammatory responses [63].