Research Progress on Quorum Sensing-Regulated Oral Microbial Interaction Networks in Periodontitis

Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism by which bacteria communicate and coordinate group behaviors through the secretion of signaling molecules, playing a critical role in oral microbial interactions and the pathogenesis of periodontitis. This review summarizes recent advances in QS-mediated regulation of oral microbial interaction networks in periodontitis, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that modulate biofilm formation, virulence factor expression, and pathogen community dynamics. In addition, novel QS-targeted therapeutic strategies are discussed. Although periodontitis is fundamentally a chronic inflammatory disease driven by oral dysbiosis, the precise mechanisms by which microbes trigger and amplify inflammatory damage through the "community dynamics-host interaction-microenvironment" axis remain unclear. Therefore, exploring novel therapeutic strategies targeting the QS system offers potential targets and innovative approaches for the clinical treatment of periodontitis.