Periodontitis mainly increases osteoclast formation via enhancing the differentiation of quiescent osteoclast precursors into osteoclasts

Background and objectives Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase ( TRAP )‐positive multinucleated osteoclasts are formed in sequential steps: proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors into quiescent osteoclast precursors ( QOP s), followed by fusion of QOP s. In this study, we investigated whether enhancement of osteoclast formation by periodontitis is derived from the stimulation of proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors or the differentiation of QOP s into osteoclasts. Material and methods Ligatures were placed around the first molars in the left mandibles of Fischer 344 inbred rats. The rats received drinking water containing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) (which can be incorporated into dividing nuclei) after ligation during the experimental period. The number of inflammatory cells in the distal area was counted. Alveolar bone loss was histologically estimated by measuring the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest in the distal area and determining the percentage of periodontal ligament area in the furcation. The number of osteoclasts and percentage of BrdU + nuclei in total osteoclasts nuclei were counted after TRAP and BrdU double labeling. Results The number of polymorphonuclear cells increased on day 1 and then rapidly decreased. The number of mononuclear cells increased in a time‐dependent manner up to day 5 and remained the same until day 10. Alveolar bone loss of ligatured teeth increased in a time‐dependent manner. The number of osteoclasts peaked on day 3 then gradually decreased. At peak, the percentage of BrdU + nuclei in total osteoclasts nuclei in the distal and furcation areas were 7.9% and 4.1%, respectively. Conclusion These results indicate that most of the osteoclasts formed after periodontitis induction are derived from preformed QOP s, suggesting that enhancement of osteoclast formation by periodontitis might be mainly caused by stimulating the differentiation of QOP s into osteoclasts.