Experimental study of the effect of Zfp260 on the differentiation of osteoclasts in periodontitis

[Objective:] To research the role of zinc finger protein 260 (Zfp260) in osteoclast differentiation under the periodontitis microenvironment. [Methods:] Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into the monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW264.7. The transfected cells were induced into osteoclasts by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL） for 7 days. Differentiated cells were harvested for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of osteoclast differentiation-related genes. In vivo, experimental periodontitis models were established in Zfp260flox/flox mice (Control group) and Zfp260flox/flox Lyz2-cre- myeloid cell conditional Zfp260-knockout mice (Zfp260cko, Experimental group). The Micro-CT scan and histological staining were used to analyze alveolar bone resorption. [Results:] Zfp260 was up-regulated during osteoclast genesis. The knockdown of Zfp260 inhibited the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into osteoclasts, and the expression of osteoclast-related factors was down-regulated (P<0.05). In vivo, the bone resorption was significantly decreased on the experimental side in Zfp260CKO mice. [Conclusion:] Zfp260 regulates the osteoclast differentiation ability, which will provide a new target for solving periodontitis.