TNFRSF11A and periodontitis: RT-qPCR showed that local non-Tx enhanced the gingival receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (Rank) expression, which contributed to osteoclastic bone loss in periodontitis and oxidative stress27,28 Local siCONT-PDLSC-Tx suppressed gingival Rank expression around the maxillary second molar, whereas local siEPOR-PDLSC-Tx did not, compared to the non-Tx group (Fig. 6e).