Tumor necrosis factor- antagonist infliximab inhibits osteoclast formation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells but does not affect periodontal ligament fibroblast-mediated osteoclast formation

摘要

Background and ObjectiveThe inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) is elevated in inflamed periodontal tissues and may contribute to periodontitis progression. TNF- stimulates formation and activity of osteoclasts, the cells that are recruited in periodontitis, that cause alveolar bone degradation and subsequent tooth loss. We previously showed that TNF- is elevated in co-cultures of periodontal ligament fibroblast (PDLF) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Hence, TNF- could be a determining factor in osteoclast formation in these cultures, as osteoclasts are formed despite the fact that prototypical osteoclast differentiation factor receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand is outnumbered at least 100-fold by its inhibitor osteoprotegerin in these cultures.