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Correlation between PD-1/PD-L1 and RANKL/OPG in chronic apical periodontitis model of Sprague-Dawley rats

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Abstract

Chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the apical periodontium that is of pulpal origin, appearing as an apical radiolucent area, and does not produce clinical symptoms. Little is known about whether the PD-1/PD-L1 ratio is associated with the balance between RANKL and OPG in CAP. The relationship between PD-1/PD-L1 and RANKL/OPG in CAP is investigated in this study. A CAP rat model was established using Sprague-Dawley rats. The pulp chambers were exposed to the oral cavity to allow bacterial contamination. The apical tissues of the bilateral mandibular first molars were analyzed for histological morphology using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to determine the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, OPG, and RANKL mRNA and proteins in periapical tissues and mandibular samples, respectively. The radiological images indicated a poorly defined low-density shadow and alveolar bone resorption after periodontitis induction. Histological analysis revealed an infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar bone resorption in the periapical tissues. Mandibular mRNA and periapical protein expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and RANKL was upregulated 7–28 days after periodontitis induction, while the expression of OPG was downregulated. No significant relationship was observed between PD-1/PD-L1 and RANKL/OPG at either mRNA or protein levels in CAP. There is an increased expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and RANKL and a decreased expression of OPG, indicating progression of CAP.

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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

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Funding

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81560178).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Prevention, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University), No.137, Liyushan Road, Xinshi District, UrumqiXinjiang, 830000, China

    Qi Wang, Liping Wang, Li Sheng, Bei Zhang & Yishan Liu

  2. Urumqi Beimeile Dentistry, Urumqi, 836000, China

    Burlen Jieensi

  3. Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830000, China

    Shutao Zheng

Authors
  1. Qi Wang
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  2. Liping Wang
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  3. Li Sheng
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  5. Burlen Jieensi
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  6. Shutao Zheng
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  7. Yishan Liu
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Contributions

Yishan Liu contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection and analysis were performed by Qi Wang, Liping Wang, Li Sheng, Bei Zhang, Burlen Jieensi, and Shutao Zheng. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Qi Wang, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yishan Liu.

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Animal experiments were approved by the Animal Experimental Ethics Committee of Xinjiang Medical University (Approval No. IACUC-20190225–01).

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Wang, Q., Wang, L., Sheng, L. et al. Correlation between PD-1/PD-L1 and RANKL/OPG in chronic apical periodontitis model of Sprague-Dawley rats. Odontology (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-024-00911-7

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