Abstract

Background Periodontitis is one of the most common oral inflammatory diseases, and NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Cathepsin B (CTSB), a lysosomal cysteine protease, is closely associated with programmed cell death. Our study aimed to investigate the role of CTSB in periodontitis development through the NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis pathway and further explore the mechanism through which CTSB triggers NLRP3 activation. Methods Ligature-induced periodontitis were established in BALB/c mice. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was employed to downregulate CTSB expression in periodontal tissues. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to inhibit CTSB expression in macrophages for in vitro experiments. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was employed to evaluate bone resorption. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine CTSB expression, pyroptosis proteins, and inflammatory factors. MitoSOX Red and DCFH-DA staining were applied to detect mitochondrial and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Results CTSB downregulation significantly reduced alveolar bone resorption and macrophage infiltration in periodontitis. Although NLRP3 and inflammatory cytokine levels increased in periodontitis, they were effectively reduced after CTSB inhibition in the periodontal region. Consistent with in vivo experiments, CTSB knockdown in macrophages also suppressed pyroptosis. Furthermore, both mitochondrial and intracellular ROS levels were decreased after CTSB inhibition. Conclusions Inhibiting CTSB expression alleviates periodontitis, primarily by suppressing NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in macrophages. The mechanism through which CTSB activates NLRP3 likely involves inducing mitochondrial ROS generation. These findings reveal a novel mechanistic axis (CTSB-mitochondrial ROS-