Lipopolysaccharides affect compressed periodontal ligament cells via Eph–ephrin signaling

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the underlying mechanism of the recovery of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) sequentially exposed to inflammation and mechanical loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We divided PDLCs into four groups: control; compressive force (CF) alone (2.0 g/cm(2)); lipopolysaccharides (LPS) pretreatment (0.1 μg/ml) followed by simultaneous LPS and CF stimulation, simulating uncontrolled periodontitis; and LPS pretreatment followed by CF exposure, simulating controlled periodontitis. The expression of EphB4‐ephrinB2 and EphA2‐ephrinA2, and the level of osteoclastogenesis and osteogenesis were evaluated. RESULTS: Simultaneous stimulation by LPS and CF, compared with CF alone and sequential LPS and CF exposure, significantly suppressed EphB4 and enhanced ephrinA2 expression. Similarly, the most intense osteoclastic differentiation was observed under simultaneous LPS and CF stimulation, while sequential exposure to LPS and CF only slightly increased osteoclastic cell numbers. Both the activation of EphB4 signaling and ephrinA2 silencing lowered osteoclastic differentiation, which had previously been upregulated by simultaneous LPS and CF stimulation. These treatments also increased osteogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous LPS and CF stimulation critically enhances osteoclastogenesis in PDLCs through the suppression of EphB4 and the induction of ephrinA2 signaling. Sequential LPS and CF exposure partially abolishes the osteolytic effects of simultaneous stimulation.