In this murine model of periodontitis, telocytes were defined as CD34+CD31− cells that express hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which was reported to bind to c-Met receptors on periodontal macrophages, resulting in decreased expression of iNOS and increased expression of Arginase one in macrophages, consistent with a transition from an M1-to an M2-like state (Zhao et al., 2022). The gene discussed is HGF; the disease is periodontitis.