Periodontitis exacerbation during pregnancy in mice: Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a key inductor.

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the exacerbation of pregestational periodontal disease (PGPD).

Background: Periodontitis (PT) is a severe stage of periodontal disease characterized by inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth, which usually worsens during pregnancy. MIF is a proinflammatory cytokine that is significantly elevated in periodontitis, both at the beginning and at the end of pregnancy.