Mechanisms of bone resorption in periodontal disease

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are infectious, chronic inflammatory diseases that result both in loss of alveolar bone and destruction of connective tissue in periodontal regions. The bone resorption is triggered through immune responses, and results from inflammatory reactions directed against periodontopathic bacteria. Osteoclasts, bone resorbing cells, differentiate from macrophage/monocyte lineage cells, and are activated by various cytokines including osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) / receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). Activated antigen-specific CD4 positive T-cells directed against periodontopathic bacteria produce ODF/RANKL, which has been shown to play a critical role in bone resorption in periodontal diseases. This review describes recent progress towards elucidating mechanisms of bone resorption in periodontal disease.