Abstract
The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) represents a potential target for periodontitis treatment; however, its role in the development of periodontitis remains unclear. The current study aimed to elucidate the role of EZH2 in osteoclasts (OCs) growth as well as the mechanism underpinning the related process. The potential interaction among EZH2, microRNA-101 (miR-101), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) was evaluated using chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The expressions of EZH2 and miR-101 in OCs were examined by Western blot analysis and reverse transcription squantitative polymerase chain reaction. Loss- and gain-function assays were then performed to determine the role of EZH2/miR-101/VCAM-1 in periodontitis and OCs proliferation, followed by OC growth and proliferation detected using tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was conducted to determine the expression of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). A periodontitis rat model was established to investigate the effect of EZH2 and VCAM-1 in vivo. EZH2 was overexpressed, while miR-101 was downregulated in the OCs of periodontitis. Silencing of EZH2, VCAM-1 repression, or miR-101 elevation suppressed the growth and proliferation of OC while acting to encumber the release of IL-1β and TNF-α. EZH2 negatively targeted miR-101, while miR-101 negatively targeted VCAM-1. Moreover, silencing of EZH2 or VCAM-1 was observed to attenuate periodontitis which was evidenced by an increase in BMD, BV/TV, and BS/BV as well as reduction in TRAP and cathepsin K in vivo. Taken together, the key findings of the current study demonstrate that EZH2 knockdown inhibited OC formation by elevating the expression of miR-101 via suppression of VCAM-1, ultimately attenuating periodontitis.