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Updated: May 30, 2026
Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice
Published on: August 6, 2019
Inhibitory effects of IL-12 on experimental tooth movement and root resorption in mice
Masako Yoshimatsu1, Hideki Kitaura, Yuji Fujimura
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan.
Objective:
Interleukin (IL)-12 is an important cytokine for innate and adaptive immunity. We previously reported that IL-12 inhibits tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-mediated osteoclast formation by inducing apoptosis. We also reported that TNF-α plays an important role in mechanical loading-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. In this study, we investigated the effects of IL-12 on mechanical tooth movement in mice.
Design:
A Ni-Ti closed coil spring was inserted between the upper incisors and the upper left first molar in mice. IL-12 was injected locally adjacent to the first molar every other day during the experimental period, at doses varying from 0 to 1.5μg/day. After 12 days, the animals were killed and their jaws were processed for histological evaluation using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) staining, and measurements of the root resorption area.
Results:
In the IL-12-treated mice, tooth movement and root resorption appeared to be reduced. In TUNEL-stained sections, many apoptotic cells were recognized on the pressure side in the IL-12-treated mice.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that IL-12 inhibits not only mechanical tooth movement, but also root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. These findings may arise through apoptosis induced by IL-12.
