Oral Osteomicrobiology: The Role of Oral Microbiota in Alveolar Bone Homeostasis.

Xin Xu,Xingqun Cheng,Xuedong Zhou,Chengcheng Liu

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.751503

Xin Xu, Xingqun Cheng

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.751503

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Abstract

Osteomicrobiology is a new research field in which the aim is to explore the role of microbiota in bone homeostasis. The alveolar bone is that part of the maxilla and mandible that supports the teeth. It is now evident that naturally occurring alveolar bone loss is considerably stunted in germ-free mice compared with specific-pathogen-free mice. Recently, the roles of oral microbiota in modulating host defense systems and alveolar bone homeostasis have attracted increasing attention. Moreover, the mechanistic understanding of oral microbiota in mediating alveolar bone remodeling processes is undergoing rapid progress due to the advancement in technology. In this review, to provide insight into the role of oral microbiota in alveolar bone homeostasis, we introduced the term “oral osteomicrobiology.” We discussed regulation of alveolar bone development and bone loss by oral microbiota under physiological and pathological conditions. We also focused on the signaling pathways involved in oral osteomicrobiology and discussed the bridging role of osteoimmunity and influencing factors in this process. Finally, the critical techniques for osteomicrobiological investigations were introduced.

Highlights

Humans are inhabited by a diverse milieu of microorganisms, referred to as the commensal microbiota
Oral pathogenic microbes or microbial dysbiosis induce catabolic disruption of osteoclast-osteoblastmediated bone remodeling, which leads to alveolar bone loss
The oral microbiota plays important roles in post-natal jawbone development, physiological alveolar bone loss, and, pathological alveolar bone loss associated with oral diseases such as periodontitis, apical periodontitis, and peri-implantitis

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Humans are inhabited by a diverse milieu of microorganisms, referred to as the commensal microbiota. Human peripheral blood leukocytes stimulated by dental plaque derived from patients with periodontitis produced osteoclastactivating factors (calcium-45) and increased the number of active osteoclasts (Horton et al, 1972) These studies indicate that there is a complex, reciprocal relationship between the oral microbiota and alveolar bone homeostasis. There are similarities in the mechanisms involved in alveolar bone loss mediated by the oral and gut microbiota, there are unique characteristics Both the oral and gut microbiota regulate bone homeostasis by inducing the host immune response and sustained changes in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclastogenesis (Hsu and Pacifici, 2018). We summarize the factors that influence the interaction between the oral microbiota and alveolar bone loss, as well as techniques that are critical for oral osteomicrobiology research

Oral Microbiota in Post-Natal Jawbone Development

Oral Microbiota in Physiological Alveolar Bone Loss

Oral Microbiota as Regulator of Pathological Alveolar Bone Loss

OSTEOMICROBIAL MECHANISMS OF ALVEOLAR BONE LOSS

Osteoimmunity in Alveolar Bone Loss Mediated by Oral Microbiota

FACTORS THAT AFFECT ORAL MICROBIOTA-MEDIATED ALVEOLAR BONE METABOLISM

Alter the Composition and Virulence of the Oral Microbiota

Modulate the Host Immune Response

CRITICAL TECHNIQUES FOR ORAL OSTEOMICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH

Findings

CONCLUSION