Targeted autophagy: research progress on the regulatory potential of periodontitis prevention and treatment

Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease primarily caused by bacterial pathogens, leading to progressive destruction of both soft and hard periodontal tissues. While dental plaque biofilm has been universally recognized as the primary etiological factor in periodontitis development, disease progression is also influenced by local irritants and systemic modulators, making its pathogenesis complex and widely studied. Autophagy, an essential cellular self-protection mechanism, plays a pivotal role in maintaining intracellular homeostasis, responding to stress stimuli, and defending against microbial invasion. Recently, this process has emerged as a key research focus in periodontal pathology. This study investigates the dynamic changes and functional variations of autophagy during different stages of periodontitis, aiming to elucidate its precise role in disease initiation and progression.