Abstract
Periodontitis is one of the most common human inflammatory diseases, yet the mechanisms that drive immunopathology and could be therapeutically targeted are not well defined. Here, we demonstrate an expansion of resident memory T helper 17 (T(H)17) cells in human periodontitis. Phenocopying humans, T(H)17 cells expanded in murine experimental periodontitis through local proliferation. Unlike homeostatic oral T(H)17 cells, which accumulate in a commensal-independent and interleukin-6 (IL-6)-dependent manner, periodontitis-associated expansion of T(H)17 cells was dependent on the local dysbiotic microbiome and required both IL-6 and IL-23. T(H)17 cells and associated neutrophil accumulation were necessary for inflammatory tissue destruction in experimental periodontitis. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of T(H)17 cell differentiation conferred protection from immunopathology. Studies in a unique patient population with a genetic defect in T(H)17 cell differentiation established human relevance for our murine experimental studies. In the oral cavity, human T(H)17 cell defects were associated with diminished periodontal inflammation and bone loss, despite increased prevalence of recurrent oral fungal infections. Our study highlights distinct functions of T(H)17 cells in oral immunity and inflammation and paves the way to a new targeted therapeutic approach for the treatment of periodontitis.