Clonally Convergent Tph/Tfh-like CD4+ T Cells are Shared Across Recovery and Recurrence in Experimental Periodontitis

A Tfh/Tph-like CD4 T cell clonotype expanded from recovery into recurrence in the SeRPD mouse model, linking durable mucosal imprinting to recurrent disease.

• Why it matters: Periodontitis requires lifelong control, yet it is unclear whether clinical recovery resets the local CD4 T cell repertoire or leaves antigen-experienced cells that can reappear.
• What they did: In SeRPD mice, the gingival T cell imprint was mapped across disease phases after temporary Treg depletion, using paired single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing.
• The result: The same convergent clonotype persisted from recovery into recurrence and an analogous CD4 T cell population was detected in human periodontitis lesions, implying repertoire reset may not occur locally.

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