Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

10:26
Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice
Published on: August 6, 2019
Plasmin is essential in preventing periodontitis in mice
Rima Sulniute1, Tomas Lindh, Malgorzata Wilczynska
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
The American Journal of Pathology
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Plasminogen (Plg) deficiency accelerates periodontitis, causing gum and bone loss. Supplementation with plasminogen reversed these effects, suggesting its therapeutic potential for periodontal disease.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Periodontitis is a severe gum disease characterized by inflammation and bone loss.
- The role of plasmin, a protease, in periodontitis pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of plasminogen (Plg) in maintaining periodontal health.
- To explore the potential of plasminogen as a therapeutic agent for periodontitis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized plasminogen-deficient mice to model periodontitis.
- Conducted morphological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses.
- Administered human plasminogen supplementation to deficient mice.
Main Results:
- Plg-deficient mice rapidly developed severe periodontitis, including tissue detachment, bone resorption, and inflammation.
- Doubly deficient mice (Plg and activators) showed similar disease progression.
- Plasminogen supplementation led to tissue regeneration and reduced inflammation in deficient mice.
Conclusions:
- Plasminogen is crucial for maintaining periodontal health and preventing spontaneous periodontitis.
- Plasminogen plays a vital role in combating chronic periodontitis.
- Plasminogen supplementation shows promise as a novel therapy for periodontal diseases.

