IL-6+ fibroblasts contribute to shaping the pro-inflammatory microenvironment in severe periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal therapy

Our study unveiled the presence of a fibroblast-mediated network localized in the hypoxic region of the severe periodontitis that functionally linked macrophages and fibroblasts, which collaborate to exacerbate the periodontal inflammation microenvironment. These findings may offer a new perspective for the targeted treatment of severe periodontitis, especially the targeted treatment against IL-6⁺ fibroblasts.