Fig. 4
From: The roles of osteocytes in alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis
Premature osteocyte senescence and its downstream effects in periodontitis. In periodontitis, stimulation by bacteria (a) and inflammatory cells (b) drives osteocytes to undergo premature senescence (1). Senescent osteocytes (c) express SASP (2), which reinforces osteoclast (d)-mediated bone resorption but inhibits osteoblast (e)-mediated bone formation. Senescent osteocytes can induce senescence in adjacent cells through SASP (3) and/or cell–cell contact (4)