To verify whether Tim4 can serve as the key target closely associated with CD301b+ macrophages in periodontitis, we analyzed data (PRJNA914415) derived from high-throughput RNA sequencing which was carried out on CD301b+ macrophages and CD301b− macrophages sorted from mouse periodontal tissue by flow cytometry in our previous study (Fig. 1a).20 The transcriptomes of CD301b+ macrophages and CD301b− macrophages were compared, and significantly upregulated transcription level of Timd4 (gene name of Tim4) in CD301b+ macrophages was illustrated in the heatmap (Fig. 1b). The gene discussed is TIMD4; the disease is periodontitis.