γδ17T Cells Hinder Mandibular Bone Defect Healing

Bone fracture healing requires coordinated interactions between immune cells and skeletal tissues, with flat bones exhibiting unique biomechanical and physiologic characteristics as compared with long bones. The mandible, the lower jawbone that supports the oral cavity, has distinct features due to its proximity to the oral mucosa, which is enriched in immune cells and microbiota, and its exposure to masticatory forces, making it a clinically relevant model for studying immune–skeletal interactions during fracture repair. Moreover, mandibular fractures are common maxillofacial injuries, posing challenges owing to functional and aesthetic considerations, as well as the risk of infection and impaired healing. Recent studies have highlighted conflicting roles for interleukin 17 (IL-17) and γδT cells in bone fracture or defect healing. As the primary source of IL-17 in the oral mucosa, γδT cells play a critical role in alveolar bone remodeling and respond to environmental factors such as the microbiota and age. We thus sought to investigate their role in the repair process of a mandibular defect. Here, we developed a murine model where a 1.5-mm drill hole defect spontaneously healed within 3 wk. Analysis revealed rapid leukocyte infiltration at the defect site by day 3, predominantly neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes, with γδT cells and adaptive leukocytes accumulating later at days 7 and 14. Depletion of γδT cells via Tcrd-GDL mice or genetic ablation of IL-17 in Il17af^-/- mice accelerated the kinetics of mandibular healing. Bulk RNA sequencing and immunologic analysis revealed that while early recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes was unaffected in Il17af^-/- mice, later inflammatory responses were diminished, resulting in accelerated repair. These findings suggest that IL-17–producing γδT cells (γδ17T cells) delay mandibular fracture repair by inhibiting inflammation resolution, thus prolonging the reparative phase. Targeting γδ17T cells or IL-17 may thus represent therapeutic strategies to enhance bone regeneration, particularly in challenging clinical settings involving mandibular fractures.