Early anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages ameliorates post-surgical inflammation and osseointegration around titanium implants in mice

Dental implants are considered a superior option for the replacement of missing teeth. However, the invasive nature of the surgical procedure often results in significant postoperative inflammation, and the prolonged healing period of 3–6 months presents a notable disadvantage. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a critical mediator of acute inflammation following surgical injury, which can hinder the onset of osseointegration. This study aims to examine whether the inhibition of HMGB1 can mitigate acute inflammation and subsequently enhance osseointegration. The findings indicate that HMGB1 inhibition markedly reduces inflammation and promotes bone repair in murine models. Further in vitro investigations into the regulatory mechanisms of HMGB1 in macrophages reveal its role in increasing Yes-associated protein (YAP) activity, which contributes to pro-inflammatory polarization. Additionally, conditioned media derived from macrophages influenced by HMGB1 significantly impair the migratory and osteogenic capabilities of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which are essential for bone regeneration. In vivo experiments further validate that the administration of exogenous HMGB1 exacerbates postoperative acute inflammation and obstructs osseointegration. The study concludes that inhibiting HMGB1 fosters an anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages, leading to diminished postoperative acute inflammation and expedited osseointegration around dental implants in mice.