Fig. 5

Activation of gSCCs stimulated expression of beta-defensin and alleviated periodontitis in wild-type mice. a Molars of WT and Gnat3^−/− mice were topically treated with 1 mM denatonium benzoate (Den) or PBS for 6 days and then mice euthanized at day 7. Gingival tissues were collected for RNA isolation and qRT-PCR. b Gingival expression of antimicrobial peptide mRNAs determined by qRT-PCR. Results are normalized against β-actin mRNA (Actb). Data are means ± SEM (n = 3 mice). Defb1–3 β-defensin 1–3, respectively, Camp LL-37. ***p < 0.001, one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s test. c At day 0, silk ligatures were placed around the second maxillary left molars of WT and Gnat3^−/− mice. The mice were treated with 1 mM Den or PBS from day 1 to day 6 and sacrificed on day 7. d Maxillae from ligatured WT and Gnat3^−/− mice treated with PBS or Den. Yellow dotted line indicates the area between the cementoenamel junction of the second maxillary molar to the alveolar bone crest. Scale bars: 500 μm. e Quantitation of relative ABL calculated by subtracting the ABL of the unligatured side from the ABL of the ligatured side. Result of each mouse is plotted; the red line indicates the mean (n = 6 mice). *p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001; one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s test. f Quantitation by qPCR of the bacteria colonized on the ligatures recovered 1 week after placement. Result of each mouse is plotted, with the red line indicating the mean (n = 6 mice). ***p < 0.001, one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s test. Source data are provided as a Source Data file