Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy

Abstract Periodontitis is a common oral disease characterized by progressive alveolar bone resorption and inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been used in the treatment of various immune-inflammatory diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant fun...

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Main Authors: Liang Chen, Pengxiao Hu, Xinhua Hong, Bin Li, Yifan Ping, ShuoMin Chen, Tianle Jiang, Haofu Jiang, Yixin Mao, Yang Chen, Zhongchen Song, Zhou Ye, Xiaoyu Sun, Shufan Zhao, Shengbin Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Oral Science
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-025-00360-0
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author Liang Chen
Pengxiao Hu
Xinhua Hong
Bin Li
Yifan Ping
ShuoMin Chen
Tianle Jiang
Haofu Jiang
Yixin Mao
Yang Chen
Zhongchen Song
Zhou Ye
Xiaoyu Sun
Shufan Zhao
Shengbin Huang
author_facet Liang Chen
Pengxiao Hu
Xinhua Hong
Bin Li
Yifan Ping
ShuoMin Chen
Tianle Jiang
Haofu Jiang
Yixin Mao
Yang Chen
Zhongchen Song
Zhou Ye
Xiaoyu Sun
Shufan Zhao
Shengbin Huang
author_sort Liang Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Periodontitis is a common oral disease characterized by progressive alveolar bone resorption and inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been used in the treatment of various immune-inflammatory diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Here, we investigated for the first time the therapeutic effect of DMF on periodontitis. In vivo studies showed that DMF significantly inhibited periodontal destruction, enhanced mitophagy, and decreased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio. In vitro studies showed that DMF inhibited macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages and promoted polarization toward M2 macrophages, with improved mitochondrial function, inhibited oxidative stress, and increased mitophagy in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DMF increased intracellular mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM) levels to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, promoted mitophagy, and modulated macrophage polarization, whereas TUFM knockdown decreased the protective effect of DMF. Finally, mechanistic studies showed that DMF increased intracellular TUFM levels by protecting TUFM from degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation pathway. Our results demonstrate for the first time that DMF protects mitochondrial function and inhibits oxidative stress through TUFM-mediated mitophagy in macrophages, resulting in a shift in the balance of macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating periodontitis. Importantly, this study provides new insights into the prevention of periodontitis.
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series International Journal of Oral Science
spelling doaj-art-329e85a09bdf4939b8e80036d731345b2025-08-20T02:17:46ZengNature Publishing GroupInternational Journal of Oral Science2049-31692025-04-0117111410.1038/s41368-025-00360-0Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagyLiang Chen0Pengxiao Hu1Xinhua Hong2Bin Li3Yifan Ping4ShuoMin Chen5Tianle Jiang6Haofu Jiang7Yixin Mao8Yang Chen9Zhongchen Song10Zhou Ye11Xiaoyu Sun12Shufan Zhao13Shengbin Huang14Institute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Periodontology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineApplied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong KongInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityInstitute of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Periodontitis is a common oral disease characterized by progressive alveolar bone resorption and inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been used in the treatment of various immune-inflammatory diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Here, we investigated for the first time the therapeutic effect of DMF on periodontitis. In vivo studies showed that DMF significantly inhibited periodontal destruction, enhanced mitophagy, and decreased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio. In vitro studies showed that DMF inhibited macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages and promoted polarization toward M2 macrophages, with improved mitochondrial function, inhibited oxidative stress, and increased mitophagy in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DMF increased intracellular mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM) levels to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, promoted mitophagy, and modulated macrophage polarization, whereas TUFM knockdown decreased the protective effect of DMF. Finally, mechanistic studies showed that DMF increased intracellular TUFM levels by protecting TUFM from degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation pathway. Our results demonstrate for the first time that DMF protects mitochondrial function and inhibits oxidative stress through TUFM-mediated mitophagy in macrophages, resulting in a shift in the balance of macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating periodontitis. Importantly, this study provides new insights into the prevention of periodontitis.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-025-00360-0
spellingShingle Liang Chen
Pengxiao Hu
Xinhua Hong
Bin Li
Yifan Ping
ShuoMin Chen
Tianle Jiang
Haofu Jiang
Yixin Mao
Yang Chen
Zhongchen Song
Zhou Ye
Xiaoyu Sun
Shufan Zhao
Shengbin Huang
Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy
International Journal of Oral Science
title Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy
title_full Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy
title_fullStr Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy
title_full_unstemmed Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy
title_short Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy
title_sort dimethyl fumarate modulates m1 m2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing tufm mediated mitophagy
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-025-00360-0
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