CD301b+ macrophages: a new target for improving the efficiency of orthodontic treatment under mild inflammation

Abstract With improvements in the quality of life and the demand for aesthetics, more and more people are opting for orthodontic treatment, resulting in a surge in adult orthodontic patients in recent years. However, a large body of clinical evidence shows that many orthodontic patients experience periodontal inflammation, which hinders the effect of the treatment or exacerbates the periodontal status. Therefore, determining the key factors that affect orthodontic treatment in an inflammatory environment to improve the efficiency of the treatment is vital. In this study, we focused on the critical role of macrophages during orthodontic treatment in an inflammatory environment. The functional population of macrophages was analyzed in a rat orthodontic model with periodontitis. Macrophages with high expression levels of CD301b improved the periodontal microenvironment and the efficiency of the orthodontic tooth movement. Transplantation of CD301b + macrophages into the model promoted osteogenesis around the orthodontic mobile teeth, improved bone remodeling during the orthodontic process, and accelerated orthodontic tooth movement. These findings indicate that CD301b + macrophages may have a positive effect during orthodontic treatment in an inflammatory environment and could be considered as a potential regulatory target.