Mast Cells Contribute to Porphyromonas gingivalis–induced Bone Loss

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory and bone-destructive disease. Development of periodontitis is associated with dysbiosis of the microbial community, which may be caused by periodontal bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Mast cells are sentinels at mucosal surfaces and are a potent source of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factors (TNF), although their role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis remains to be elucidated. This study sought to determine the contribution of mast cells to local bone destruction following oral infection with P. gingivalis. Mast cell–deficient mice (KitW-sh/W-sh) were protected from P. gingivalis–induced alveolar bone loss, with a reduction in anti–P. gingivalis serum antibody titers compared with wild-type infected controls. Furthermore, mast cell–deficient mice had reduced expression of Tnf, Il6, and Il1b mRNA in gingival tissues compared with wild-type mice. Mast cell–engrafted KitW-sh/W-sh mice infected with P. gingivalis demonstrated alveolar b...