Increased Presence of Complement Factors and Mast Cells in Alveolar Bone and Tooth Resorption.

Kathrin Luntzer,Anita Ignatius,Miriam Kalbitz,Yvonne Mödinger,Ina Lackner,Melanie Haffner-Luntzer,Florian Gebhard,Susann-Yvonne Mihaljevic,Birte Weber

doi:10.3390/ijms22052759

Kathrin Luntzer, Anita Ignatius + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052759

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Abstract

Periodontitis is the inflammatory destruction of the tooth-surrounding and -supporting tissue, resulting at worst in tooth loss. Another locally aggressive disease of the oral cavity is tooth resorption (TR). This is associated with the destruction of the dental mineralized tissue. However, the underlying pathomechanisms remain unknown. The complement system, as well as mast cells (MCs), are known to be involved in osteoclastogenesis and bone loss. The complement factors C3 and C5 were previously identified as key players in periodontal disease. Therefore, we hypothesize that complement factors and MCs might play a role in alveolar bone and tooth resorption. To investigate this, we used the cat as a model because of the naturally occurring high prevalence of both these disorders in this species. Teeth, gingiva samples and serum were collected from domestic cats, which had an appointment for dental treatment under anesthesia, as well as from healthy cats. Histological analyses, immunohistochemical staining and the CH-50 and AH-50 assays revealed increased numbers of osteoclasts and MCs, as well as complement activity in cats with TR. Calcifications score in the gingiva was highest in animals that suffer from TR. This indicates that MCs and the complement system are involved in the destruction of the mineralized tissue in this condition.

Highlights

Oral diseases, including periodontitis, are a severe global clinical problem
Teeth and gingiva samples were collected from cats either affected by gingivitis, periodontitis or tooth resorption (TR), during an appointment for routine dental treatment under anesthesia
To furtheron investigate triggers of increased osteoclast formation periodontitis we examined the presence of mast cells (MCs) and the complement factors than inand theTR, periodontitis group

Summary

Introduction

Oral diseases, including periodontitis, are a severe global clinical problem. Periodontitis is the inflammatory destruction of the tooth-surrounding and -supporting tissue, eventually resulting in tooth loss. It affects between 3 and 50% of the human population depending on the definition criteria [1]. Gingivitis is an inflammatory process, which affects the gingiva alone. Its characteristics are a normal alveolar margin and architecture, without attachment loss but inflamed gums [2]. The gingival inflammation is induced by the immune response to oral bacteria located along the neck of the tooth

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