Epigenetic Regulation in Periodontal Disease

Dear Colleagues,

The focus of this Special Issue entitled “Epigenetic Regulation in Periodontal Diseases” is to provide an overview of the latest research on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in periodontal diseases. It will cover both pre-clinical and clinical research.

The term epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that are independent of mutations or changes in the genetic coding. Epigenetic mechanisms include chemical alterations of DNA and its associated proteins, called histones. Epigenetic changes lead to remodeling of the chromatin, resulting in activation or inactivation of genes.

Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as periodontitis, have specific target tissues in which the inflammation results in tissue breakdown. A specific gene may possess different epigenetic patterns depending on the cell type, resulting in local and systemic expression of the gene. This indicates a local, site-specific change in the immune response to external stimuli and/or the inflammatory response itself, which may differ among individuals and add to the susceptibility to disease.

The growing knowledge about epigenetics contributes to a better understanding regarding the interactions between genes and the environment and may explain why patients with the same clinical phenotype respond differently to treatment. In addition, knowledge regarding local and genetic factors in the immune response may be applicable in diagnostics and in identifying individuals at risk of developing disease. Since epigenetic mechanisms are reversible, it may be possible to use this knowledge to reverse these changes, thereby inhibiting or preventing disease progression.

Identifying epigenetic patterns associated with the development of periodontitis may also improve personalized approaches that can be used to individualize treatment plans for patients with periodontitis.

Assoc. Prof. Lena Larsson
Guest Editor

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• epigenetics
• periodontal diseases
• histone acetylation
• histone methylation
• DNA methylation
• miRNA
• pre-clinical research
• clinical research