Differentially expressed miRNAs associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate miRNA expression profiles in individuals with periodontitis which is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the integrity of the periodontal attachment. miRNAs play a crucial role in gene regulation through various mechanisms, making them potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for various diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 individuals with aggressive periodontitis and 25 controls were included in the study. Gingival tissues were collected for miRNA isolation and cDNA synthesis. miRNAs associated with periodontitis, including hsa-miR-185-5p, hsa-miR-17, hs-miR-146a, hs-miR-146b, hs-miR-155, hs-miR-203, hs-miR-205, hs-miR-223, and hsa-miR-21-3p, were analyzed using a combination of miRTarBase database analysis and literature mining was performed. Real-time PCR was used to assess the expression patterns of the target miRNAs, and the data were analyzed using the REST program. RESULTS: The study revealed upregulated expression levels of hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-203b-5p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p, and hsa-miR-155-5p in individuals with periodontitis. Conversely, downregulated expression was observed for hsa-miR-185-5p, hsa-miR-21-3p, and hsa-miR-17-3p. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest significant differences in the expression of specific miRNAs associated with inflammation in periodontitis. MZB1 acts as a hormone-regulated adipokine/pro-inflammatory cytokine, driving chronic inflammation and influencing cellular expansion. Predominantly expressed in marginal zone and B1 B cells, specialized subsets that respond rapidly to infections, MZB1 impacts immune protein synthesis and immune cell maturation, notably targeting microRNA-185 to potentially impede T cell development. Further research is needed to elucidate the functional significance and potential implications of these miRNAs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: miRNAs regulate the expression of target genes by finely tuning protein expression levels. The current findings provide compelling evidence of notable variations in the expression levels of specific miRNAs associated with inflammation in individuals affected by periodontitis; hence, miRNAs hold promise as potential therapeutic targets for periodontitis.

Altered expression of MZB1 in periodontitis: A possible link to disease pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study explored the molecular signatures of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) using gingival tissues through omics-based-whole-genome transcriptomic analysis. This continuation study aimed to investigate the whole protein profiling of these gingival samples through liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) analysis and to validate the identified proteins through immunohistochemistry to provide further evidence for the quality of the results. METHODS: In previous study, gene expression patterns were identified in gingival tissues from 23 GAgP and 25 control individuals. In the current study, comparative proteomic analysis was performed on isolated proteins from the same study groups using LC-MS/MS analysis. The data from the transcriptomics study published before and the proteomics data were integrated to reveal any common genes and proteins. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to further investigate the findings. RESULTS: The most upregulated proteins in patients compared to controls were ITGAM, AZU1, MMP9, BPI, UGGG1, MZB1, TRFL, PDIA6, PRDX4, and PLG. The top six pathways associated with these proteins were involved in innate immune system, post-translational protein phosphorylation, interleukin-4 and -13 signaling, toll-like receptors cascades, and extracellular matrix organization. Based on the integration and validation analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics data, as well as immunohistochemical analysis, MZB1 was identified as a shared gene and protein that were upregulated in the patients. CONCLUSIONS: MZB1 is a protein that is involved in the development of B cells and the production of antibodies. Its upregulation in periodontitis suggests that there may be a dysregulation of the immune response in this condition, and MZB1 may be a potent biomarker for periodontitis.

Analysing the effect of sodium bicarbonate and glycine air polishing on tooth surfaces with two different imaging methods.

The aim of this study was to compare two different imaging methods by assessing changes caused by sodium bicarbonate and glycine air polishing on the tooth surfaces. Fourteen single root teeth with exposed root surfaces were included into the study. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups: sodium bicarbonate and glycine group. Samples were scanned in a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) at baseline and then after air-polishing powder applications, the defect volume values were evaluated. There was a statistically significant difference between mean defect volume values that occurred after glycine and sodium bicarbonate air polishing evaluated with micro-CT and CAD/CAM (p < 0.05). After sodium bicarbonate air polishing, defect volume on enamel surface at maximum power and defect volume on the exposed root surface at medium power values calculated with CAD/CAM were higher. After glycine air polishing, defect volume values on both surfaces at medium power setting calculated with CAD/CAM were lower. Defect volume values on enamel surface at maximum power setting calculated with CAD/CAM were higher than calculated with micro-CT. We concluded that CAD/CAM cannot provide as accurate results as micro-CT. Glycine-based powder is less abrasive than sodium bicarbonate, especially on enamel surface. Lay Description: Micro-CT is a non-destructive imaging method with high resolution and allows to examine all tooth structures individually. CAD/CAM are systems that are widely used in dentistry today. Access to the device is easier than micro-CT. Intraoral scanners in CAD/CAM systems also provide non-destructive image scanning. The aim of this study was to compare two different imaging methods by assessing changes caused by sodium bicarbonate and glycine air polishing on the tooth surfaces. The results showed that because of the analyses made with CAD/CAM, similar results could not be obtained with micro-CT and cannot be used to evaluate the changes that occur after air polishing.