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Updated: Jul 28, 2025
Isolation, Processing and Analysis of Murine Gingival Cells
Published on: July 2, 2013
Macrophages induce gingival destruction via Piezo1-mediated MMPs-degrading collagens in periodontitis
Tong Zhao1,2, Zhuangzhuang Chu1,2, Catherine Huihan Chu2,3
1Department of Dental Implantology and Prosthodontics, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract:
Macrophages are an integral part of the innate immune response in periodontal tissue and play a crucial role in the progression of periodontitis. Here we reported that macrophages also provoke periodontitis-induced gingival destruction through Piezol-mediated collagen degradation. We discovered that the PIEZO1 expression was markedly elevated in patients with periodontitis through transcriptomic profiling. Moreover, Piezo1 promoted macrophage polarization toward the M1 type in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and induced production of proinflammatory cytokines, which in turn stimulated production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) leading to collagen degradation. Our study suggests that Piezol might be a potential therapeutic target for treating periodontitis-induced gingival destruction.
Insights
Macrophages drive periodontitis-induced gingival destruction by degrading collagen via Piezo1. This ion channel promotes M1 macrophage polarization and inflammation, suggesting Piezo1 as a therapeutic target for periodontitis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oral Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Macrophages are key innate immune cells in periodontal tissues.
- They play a critical role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.
- Gingival destruction in periodontitis involves collagen degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Piezo1 in periodontitis-induced gingival destruction.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which macrophages contribute to collagen degradation via Piezo1.
- To identify Piezo1 as a potential therapeutic target for periodontitis.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptomic profiling of periodontal tissues from patients with periodontitis.
- Analysis of macrophage polarization in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Assessment of cytokine production and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.
Main Results:
- PIEZO1 gene expression was significantly upregulated in periodontitis patients.
- Piezo1 promoted M1 macrophage polarization upon LPS stimulation.
- This led to increased proinflammatory cytokine and MMP production, causing collagen degradation.
Conclusions:
- Macrophages mediate periodontitis-induced gingival destruction through Piezo1-dependent collagen degradation.
- Piezo1 signaling pathway is crucial in the inflammatory process of periodontitis.
- Targeting Piezo1 may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for periodontitis.
