New Mechanisms of Aggravating Periodontitis Discovered: Could Lead to Developing Novel Periodontitis Treatment

May 26, 2022

The research group led by Assistant Professor HIYOSHI Takumi, Associate Professor DOMON Hisanori and Professor TERAO Yutaka of the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences (Dentistry), Niigata University discovered the mechanisms that proteolytic enzymes, known to increase in the periodontal tissue, aggravate periodontitis. Furthermore, the group revealed that proteolytic enzymes inhibitor has potential as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of periodontitis. The research results were published in Scientific Reports on May 17, 2022.

Research results

  • In periodontitis, a large number of neutrophils (immune cells) infiltrate the gingival tissue.
  • Subsequently, neutrophil elastase, a proteolytic enzyme, increase in periodontal tissue.
  • Neutrophil elastase aggravates periodontitis by disrupting the gingival epithelial barrier by cleaving cell adhesion molecules.
  • The application of neutrophil elastase inhibitor suppressed alveolar bone loss in the murine model of periodontitis.
  • The research result may lead to new periodontitis treatment targeting neutrophil elastase.

Publication Details

Journal: Scientific Reports
Title: Neutrophil elastase aggravates periodontitis by disrupting gingival epithelial barrier via cleaving cell adhesion molecules
Authors: Takumi Hiyoshi, Hisanori Domon, Tomoki Maekawa, Hikaru Tamura, Toshihito Isono, Satoru Hirayama, Karin Sasagawa, Fumio Takizawa, Koichi Tabeta, Yutaka Terao
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12358-3

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