FasL is a catabolic factor in alveolar bone homeostasis

Fas ligand (FasL) belongs to the tumour necrosis factor superfamily regulating bone turnover, inflammation, and apoptosis. The appendicular and axial skeleton phenotype of mature Fasl^gld mice has been reported. The impact of FasL on the alveolar bone providing support for the teeth at mature stages under healthy and induced inflammatory conditions remains unknown.

We performed a phenotypical analysis of mice carrying the homozygous Fasl^gld mutation and wild-type (WT) mice (C57BL/6) under healthy conditions and upon ligature-induced periodontitis. After 12 days, micro-computed tomography analysis revealed the distance between the cement enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest. Additional structural parameters, such as the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and the periodontal ligament space volume, were measured. Histological analyses were performed to visualize the catabolic changes at the defect site.

Healthy Fasl^gld mice were found to have more periodontal bone than their WT littermates. Fasl^gld had no significant effect on inflammatory osteolysis compared to WT controls with ligatures. Histology revealed eroded surfaces at the root and in the inter-proximal bone in both strains.

Our findings suggest that FasL is a catabolic factor in alveolar bone homeostasis but it does not affect the inflammatory osteolysis.