Disarming a blood-clotting protein prevents gum disease in mice

Media outlet Eureka Alert reported on the study, explaining that, “Drawing on animal and human data, the researchers found that buildup of the protein, called fibrin, triggers an overactive immune response that damages the gums and underlying bone. The study, which was published in Science, suggests that suppressing abnormal fibrin activity could hold promise for preventing or treating periodontal disease, as well as other inflammatory disorders marked by fibrin buildup, including arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

“Periodontal disease affects nearly half of Americans over age 30, and 70 per cent of those 65 and older. Whilst scientists have known that periodontitis is driven in part by an exaggerated immune cell response, until now, it was unclear what triggered the response, and how it caused tissue and bone damage.”