Slit-Robo: a potential way to treat periodontitis

Slit is a secreted protein known to function through the Roundabout (Robo) receptor. Slit has recently been shown to be an endogenously available inhibitor of leukocyte chemotaxis and as a chemoattractant to recruit vascular endothelial cells to sites for angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. The initiation and progression of periodontal diseases, is the result of complex interactions between the colonizing bacteria in the periodontal pockets and host immune and inflammatory responses. Antibiotics such as tetracyclines are commonly used in the management of periodontal infections and yet, have shown modest success in reducing neutrophil-mediated injury. Angiogenesis is important for the maintenance of homeostatus of periodontal tissues. However, few studies have been reported about angiogenesis targeted treatment for periodontitis. Based on its angiogenesis promoting effect and leukocyte chemotaxis inhibition effect, we hypothesize that Slit can be an effective immunotherapeutic agent in the treatment of periodontitis.