Distribution of neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage populations induced by the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 in blood and periodontal tissue early after periodontitis induction

CXCR4, a CXCL12 receptor, is expressed on epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells. The CXCR4-CXCL12 interaction is related to the migration of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. Periodontitis, an inflammatory disease mainly caused by gram-negative bacteria, is characterized by infiltration of circulating inflammatory cells and alveolar bone (AB) loss. To investigate whether CXCR4 is involved in the distribution of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages early after periodontitis induction, we examined the effects of AMD3100 (AMD), a CXCR4 antagonist, in ligature-induced periodontitis mice and LPS-injected air pouch mice. The periodontitis study was accomplished in control (C), periodontitis (P), and P + AMD groups. Periodontitis was induced by ligation of the mandibular first molar. AMD was intraperitoneally administered daily beginning the day before ligation until sacrifice on the third day after ligation. The air pouch study was accomplished in C, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and LPS + AMD groups. Air pouches on mice backs were formed by subcutaneous injection of sterilized air. AMD was administered and then LPS was injected into the air pouch. For the detection of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in blood and air pouch exudates, flow cytometry was performed with anti-Ly6G/anti-CD11b antibodies (Abs) and anti-CD115 Ab, respectively. In periodontal tissue, Ly6G+ cells and CD115+ cells were counted by immunohistological analysis. AB loss was estimated by the periodontal ligament area in the furcation. In the periodontitis study, the P group showed higher numbers of Ly6G+ cells and CD115+ cells in blood and periodontal tissue than the C group. The P + AMD group showed a greater number of Ly6G+ cells and CD115+ cells in blood, but not in periodontal tissue compared to the P group. There was no difference in AB loss between the P and P + AMD groups. In the air pouch study, the LPS group had higher levels of Ly6G+ CD11b+ cells and CD115+ cells in both blood and exudates than the C group. The number of these cells in the LPS + AMD group was higher in blood than in the LPS group, but not in the exudates. The CXCR4 antagonist further increased neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage populations in the blood, but did not alter the levels in the periodontal tissue and exudates in mice with periodontitis and LPS-injected air pouches. These results suggest that during inflammatory conditions such as periodontitis, CXCR4 is involved in the distribution of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in the blood, but not in inflamed peripheral tissues.