Host susceptibility to periodontitis: Mapping murine genomic regions

Host susceptibility to periodontal infection is controlled by genetic factors. as a step toward identifying and cloning these factors,we generated an a/j × balb/cj f2 mouse resource population. a genome-wide search for quantitative trait loci (qtl) associated with periodontitis was performed. we aimed to quantify the phenotypic response of the progenies to periodontitis by microct analysis,to perform a genome-wide search for qtl associated with periodontitis,and,finally,to suggest candidate genes for periodontitis. we were able to produce 408 f2 mice. all mice were co-infected with porphyromonas gingivalis and fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria. six weeks following infection,alveolar bone loss was quantified by computerized tomography (microct) technology. we found normal distribution of the phenotype,with 2 highly significant qtl on chromosomes 5 and 3. a third significant qtl was found on chromosome 1. candidate genes were suggested,such as toll-like receptors (tlr) 1 and 6,chemokines,and bone-remodeling genes (enamelin,ameloblastin,and amelotin). this report shows that periodontitis in mice is a polygenic trait with highly significant mapped qtl. © 2013 international & american associations for dental research.