TNFSF11 and periodontitis: In particular, they are known to react to bacterial toxins and lipopolysaccharides of periodontal pathogens, which are recognized by Toll-like receptors, with increased expression and release of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and other factors leading to increased osteoclastogenesis via the also upregulated RANK-L/OPG system [7] and causing uncontrolled loss of periodontal attachment and bone (periodontitis) [8, 9].