Mitochondrial Calcium Ion Nanogluttons Alleviate Periodontitis via Controlling mPTPs

The mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) directly affects mitochondrial function in macrophages. Under inflammatory conditions, mitochondrial calcium ion (mitoCa(2+)) overload triggers the persistent opening of mPT pores (mPTPs), further aggravating Ca2+ overload and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to form an adverse cycle. However, there are currently no effective drugs targeting mPTPs to confine or unload excess Ca2+. It is novelly demonstrated that the initiation of periodontitis and the activation of proinflammatory macrophages depend on the persistent overopening of mPTPs, which is mainly triggered by mitoCa(2+) overload and facilitates further mitochondrial ROS leakage into the cytoplasm. To solve the above problems, mitochondrial-targeted nanogluttons with PEG-TPP conjugated to the surface of PAMAM and BAPTA-AM encapsulated in the core are designed. These nanogluttons can efficiently glut Ca2+ around and inside mitochondria to effectively control the sustained opening of mPTPs. As a result, the nanogluttons significantly inhibit the inflammatory activation of macrophages. Further studies also unexpectedly reveal that the alleviation of local periodontal inflammation in mice is accompanied by diminished osteoclast activity and reduced bone loss. This provides a promising strategy for mitochondria-targeted intervention in inflammatory bone loss in periodontitis and can be extended to treat other chronic inflammatory diseases associated with mitoCa(2+) overload.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that the persistent opening of mPTPs triggered by mitoCa(2+) overload can be effectively controlled by mitochondrial-targeted nanogluttons. These nanogluttons significantly inhibit the inflammatory activation of macrophages and alleviate periodontal inflammation in mice, leading to reduced osteoclast activity and bone loss.