Unravelling co-expressed microRNAs in periodontitis − significance for regulatory networks in inflammation and therapeutic targets

Objective

This case-control study, elucidates the microRNA profile associated with periodontitis, focusing on deciphering the regulatory mechanisms implicated in the inflammatory phase of periodontitis pathogenesis.

Methods

MicroRNA profiling was conducted by Taqman low density array and validation of selected candidates through quantitative PCR. Bioinformatics tools were employed to identify target genes and elucidate their functional roles in periodontitis. Principal component analysis of microRNAs was performed to determine their variability and regulatory patterns in periodontitis pathogenesis.

Results

miR-146a-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-196a-5p, and miR-499a-5p exhibited significant dysregulation in periodontitis patients, with implications in cytokine signalling, interleukin-1 pathway modulation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes crucial for periodontitis development and progression. Importantly, miR-146a-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-20a-5p, and miR-196a-5p exhibited a pattern of co-expression, indicating a potential functional relationship and thereby provide a pattern to distinguish between individuals with generalized periodontitis and healthy individuals.

Conclusion

This study represents a pioneering effort in identifying a microRNA expression pattern which influence disease progression or pathogenesis, and targeting them collectively may offer more effective therapeutic interventions or diagnostic strategies and help to understand microRNA-mediated pathways in periodontal disease management.