Telocytes regulate tissue resident macrophages in periodontal disease

A small population of telocytes (TC) have been identified in periodontium. They are quiescent in homeostasis, however, in periodontitis, they are activated by LPS via the receptor Lbp, which causes TCs to send HGF signals to the LPS activated iNOS+ (M1) macrophages. Macrophages receive the HGF signals via c-Met, which further causes the expression of M2 marker Arg1, representing in an increase of M2 macrophages. The expression of Arg1 can be inhibited by a HGF/c-Met selective inhibitor Tivantinib. Mouse PDL mRNA profiles during periodontitis.