Osteoimmunology in Periodontitis: Local Proteins and Compounds to Alleviate Periodontitis

Abstract

Periodontitis is one of the most common oral diseases resulting in gingival inflammation and tooth loss. Growing evidence indicates that it results from dysbiosis of the oral microbiome, which interferes with the host immune system, leading to bone destruction. Immune cells activate periodontal ligament cells to express the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and promote osteoclast activity. Osteocytes have active roles in periodontitis progression in the bone matrix. Local proteins are involved in bone regeneration through functional immunological plasticity. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms in periodontitis, the roles of local proteins, and promising synthetic compounds generating a periodontal regeneration effect. It is anticipated that this may lead to a better perception of periodontitis pathophysiology.

Keywords: RANKL; bone regeneration; immune cells; osteocytes; osteoimmunology; periodontitis.

Figure 1

Cellular interactions and osteocyte function in periodontitis. (a) Pathogenic bacteria in the periodontal pocket release their virulence factors to stimulate proinflammatory cytokine production from periodontal stromal cells and immune cells in the periodontium. (b) Cellular interactions in response to periodontitis. Periodontal pathogens and their products activate antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the periodontium to stimulate periodontal ligament cells (PDL cells) following the activation of Th17 and exFoxp3Th17 cells. (c) Osteocyte functions and their interactions with other cells through the lacunocanalicular system (LCS).