The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) can play different roles in cells. This protein can on the one hand act in the regulation of cell growth and survival, while being an apoptosis inducing factor in different contexts. p75NTR regulates cell cycle not only in nerve cells but also in epithelial oral mucosal cells. In the former, neurotrophin-p75NTR signaling affects cell growth and survival. Recent studies showed that p75NTR is expressed in basal cells of oral mucosal epithelium and can be used as one of the markers of epithelial stem/progenitor cells. This role of p75NTR can be utilised in aspects such as tissue engineering and gene therapy. One of the examples of clinical use of cultivated oral mucosal cells is ocular surface reconstruction. p75NTR can be a significant marker of stem cells in studies of epithelial tissues, especially when the cells will exhibit other specific markers, such as CK13, CK14 and PCNA..

Department of Anatomy Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Department of Biomaterials and Experimental Dentistry Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Department of Histology and Embryology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital and Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Department of Toxicology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Veterinary Center Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun Torun Poland