Solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) expressing taste receptors reside in mucosal epithelia including the gingiva. Here the authors show that ablation of taste-sensing by SSCs leads to outgrowth of pathogenic oral bacteria and periodontitis, whereas bitter taste receptor stimulation promotes antimicrobial peptide production and ameliorates periodontitis.
- Xin Zheng
- Marco Tizzano
- Robert F. Margolskee
