Abstract
Periodontitis caused by bacterial infection gradually progresses accompanied by periodontal tissue destruction. As a result, teeth lose their supporting structures, and this leads to tooth exfoliation. CXC-chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is known to be expressed in lymphocytes, fibroblasts and osteoclasts in periodontal tissues, suggesting that periodontal CXCR4 signaling contributes to alveolar bone resorption in the milieu of periodontitis. However, the role of CXCR4 signaling in the pathogenesis of periodontitis has remained unknown. We established a mouse model of periodontitis by inoculation of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) into a silk ligature placed around the maxillary molar. Although there was no significant difference in the mechanical sensitivity in the periodontal tissue between P.g. treatment and sham treatment during the experimental period, mechanical allodynia in the periodontal tissue was induced after gingival injection of complete Freund's adjuvant compared with that resulting from sham and P.g. treatment alone. Moreover, CXCR4 neutralization in the periodontal tissue following P.g. treatment enhanced periodontal inflammatory cell infiltration and depressed alveolar bone resorption. These findings suggest that periodontal CXCR4 signaling in several cell types in P.g.-induced periodontal inflammation depresses alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis. CXCR4 signaling might be a target for therapeutic intervention to prevent alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis.