Abstract
The enhanced osteoclastogenesis contributes to alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis, which increases the risk of tooth loss. To reduce bone destruction, the inhibition of osteoclast development is proposed as a feasible treatment. CD40L-CD40-TRAF6 signal transduction plays a crucial role in inflammation, but how it regulates osteoclast activity in periodontitis has not been elucidated. In this study, we showed the potential role of CD40L-CD40-TRAF6 signaling in periodontitis. CD40L obviously promoted osteoclast formation and bone resorption capacity in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that osteoclastogenesis was enhanced by the overexpression of NFATc1 and NF-κB activation. Importantly, osteoclast activity was effectively suppressed by TRAF-STOP, a small molecular inhibitor of TRAF6. Furthermore, local injection of TRAF-STOP-loaded injectable PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel could alleviate ligation-induced periodontitis in vivo. Taken together, TRAF-STOP shows promising clinical efficacy in periodontitis through alleviating osteoclastogenesis.