International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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13 pages, 2594 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Harnessing Nanopore Sequencing to Investigate the Epigenomic Landscape in Molar Incisor Hypomineralization—A Pilot Study

by Silvia Salatino, Piotr Cuber, Wojciech Tynior, Carla Gustave, Dorota Hudy, Yuen-Ting Chan, Agnieszka Raczkowska-Siostrzonek, Raju Misra, Dagmara Aleksandrowicz, Dariusz Nałęcz and Joanna Katarzyna Strzelczyk

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3401; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073401 - 5 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a dental condition that affects the enamel of permanent molars and/or incisors, often leading to tooth decay. Although several etiological hypotheses have come forward, including prenatal medical problems and postnatal illness, the pathogenesis of MIH is yet unclear. [...] Read more.

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a dental condition that affects the enamel of permanent molars and/or incisors, often leading to tooth decay. Although several etiological hypotheses have come forward, including prenatal medical problems and postnatal illness, the pathogenesis of MIH is yet unclear. Aimed at exploring the epigenomic landscape of this dental condition, we collected dental tissue from a MIH-affected child and an age-matched control patient and investigated their DNA methylation status through an in-depth analysis of nanopore long-read sequencing data. We identified 780,141 CpGs with significantly different methylation levels between the samples; intriguingly, the density of these dinucleotides was higher in the regions containing genes involved in dental morphogenesis and inflammatory processes leading to periodontitis. Further examination of 54 genes associated with MIH or hypomineralized second primary molar disorders revealed very distinct methylation of intragenic transposable elements (SINEs, LINEs, and LTRs), while functional profiling analysis of 571 differentially methylated regions genome-wide uncovered significant enrichment processes including ameloblasts differentiation and calcium ion binding, as well as SP1 and other zinc finger transcription factors. Taken together, our findings suggest that DNA methylation could play a role in the pathogenesis of MIH and represent a stepping stone towards a comprehensive understanding of this multifactorial disorder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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9 pages, 199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salivary Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-18 Levels and Their Association with Dental Health in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

by Paula Piekoszewska-Ziętek, Natalia Korytowska-Przybylska, Małgorzata Pańczyk-Tomaszewska and Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3175; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073175 - 29 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) is associated with immune dysfunction and increased susceptibility to infections. Oral health may influence systemic inflammation and disease progression. This study aimed to evaluate the salivary levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in children with NS and their [...] Read more.

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) is associated with immune dysfunction and increased susceptibility to infections. Oral health may influence systemic inflammation and disease progression. This study aimed to evaluate the salivary levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in children with NS and their association with dental health, particularly caries prevalence and the consequences of untreated caries. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 86 children aged 5–17 years, including 40 NS patients and 46 healthy controls. Clinical dental examinations assessed caries prevalence using the dmft/DMFT index and the impact of untreated caries using the pufa/PUFA index. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected, and IL-6 and IL-18 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NS patients exhibited a significantly lower prevalence of active carious lesions than controls (50% vs. 72%, p = 0.039). The DMFT index was lower in the NS group (p = 0.003). Salivary IL-6 levels were significantly reduced in NS patients compared to controls (p = 0.015), while IL-18 levels showed no significant difference. IL-6 positively correlated with decayed permanent teeth and pulp/periapical tissue diseases, whereas IL-18 correlated with white spot lesions and pulp infections. IL-6 and IL-18 could serve as potential non-invasive indicators of disease progression in NS patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

27 pages, 6858 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biofunctionalization of Collagen Barrier Membranes with Bone-Conditioned Medium, as a Natural Source of Growth Factors, Enhances Osteoblastic Cell Behavior

by Harshitha Ashoka Sreeja, Emilio Couso-Queiruga, Clemens Raabe, Vivianne Chappuis and Maria B. Asparuhova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(4), 1610; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041610 - 13 Feb 2025

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Abstract

A key principle of guided bone regeneration (GBR) is the use of a barrier membrane to prevent cells from non-osteogenic tissues from interfering with bone regeneration in patients with hard tissue deficiencies. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the osteoinductive [...] Read more.

A key principle of guided bone regeneration (GBR) is the use of a barrier membrane to prevent cells from non-osteogenic tissues from interfering with bone regeneration in patients with hard tissue deficiencies. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the osteoinductive properties of bone-conditioned medium (BCM) obtained from cortical bone chips harvested at the surgical site can be transferred to a native bilayer collagen membrane (nbCM). BCM extracted within 20 or 40 min, which corresponds to a typical implant surgical procedure, and BCM extracted within 24 h, which corresponds to BCM released from the autologous bone chips in situ, contained significant and comparable amounts of TGF-β1, IGF-1, FGF-2, VEGF-A, and IL-11. Significant (p < 0.001) quantities of BMP-2 were only detected in the 24-h BCM preparation. The bioactive substances contained in the BCM were adsorbed to the nbCMs with almost 100% efficiency. A fast but sequential release of all investigated proteins occurred within 6–72 h, reflecting their stepwise involvement in the natural regeneration process. BCM-coated nbCM significantly (p < 0.05) increased the migratory, adhesive, and proliferative capacity of primary human bone-derived cells (hBC), primary human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLC), and an osteosarcoma-derived osteoblastic cell line (MG-63) compared to cells cultured on BCM-free nbCM. The high proliferative rates of MG-63 cells cultured on BCM-free nbCM were not further potentiated by BCM, indicating that BCM-coated nbCM has no detrimental effects on cancer cell growth. BCM-coated nbCM caused significant (p < 0.05) induction of early osteogenic marker gene expression and alkaline phosphatase activity, suggesting an important role of BCM-functionalized nbCM in the initiation of osteogenesis. The 24-h BCM loaded on the nbCM was the only BCM preparation that caused significant induction of late osteogenic marker gene expression. Altogether, our data define the pre-activation of collagen membranes with short-term-extracted BCM as a potential superior modality for treating hard tissue deficiencies via GBR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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18 pages, 2586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Delayed Tooth Development and the Impaired Differentiation of Stem/Progenitor Cells in Incisors from Type 2 Diabetes Mice

by Yoshifumi Kobayashi, Jia Huang, Brandon K. Barnett, Carla Y. Falcon, Paul A. Falcon, Craig S. Hirschberg, Daniel H. Fine, Yi Ye and Emi Shimizu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(24), 13619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413619 - 19 Dec 2024

Viewed by 940

Abstract

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased risk of tooth decay caused by alterations in their tooth development and their oral environment, as well as a tendency to present with pulp infection due to compromised immune response. The present study analyzed the [...] Read more.

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased risk of tooth decay caused by alterations in their tooth development and their oral environment, as well as a tendency to present with pulp infection due to compromised immune response. The present study analyzed the characteristic alterations in tooth development under DM conditions using incisors from db/db type 2 diabetic mouse model (T2DM mice). In micro-CT analyses, T2DM mice showed delayed dentin and enamel formation. Through transcriptomic analyses, pre-ameloblast- and pre-odontoblast-specific genes were found to be significantly decreased in the incisors of T2DM mice, whereas major ameloblast- and mature odontoblast-specific genes were not changed. Stem cell markers were decreased in T2DM mice compared to those from the control mice, suggesting that the stemness of dental pulp cells (DPCs) is attenuated in T2DM mice. In vitro analyses demonstrated that DPCs from T2DM mice have lower colony-forming units (CFU), slower propagation, and diminished differentiation characteristics compared to the control. These data suggest that T2DM conditions could impair the differentiation property of multiple progenitor/stem cells in the tooth, resulting in delayed tooth development in T2DM mice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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32 pages, 11662 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Docking and Experimental Analysis of Essential Oil-Based Preparations on Biofilm Formation on Orthodontic Archwires

by Vlad Tiberiu Alexa, Aurora Doris Fratila, Roxana Oancea, Atena Galuscan, Octavia Balean, Vanessa Bolchis, Berivan Laura Rebeca Buzatu, Diana Obistioiu, Mukhtar Adeiza Suleiman and Daniela Jumanca

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(24), 13378; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413378 - 13 Dec 2024

Viewed by 912

Abstract

Good oral hygiene is crucial during treatment with fixed appliances, emphasising the need for additional or alternative oral health methods during orthodontic treatment. This study investigates the effect of essential oil (EO)-based preparations on biofilm adhesion to orthodontic archwires. Five identical-sized orthodontic archwires [...] Read more.

Good oral hygiene is crucial during treatment with fixed appliances, emphasising the need for additional or alternative oral health methods during orthodontic treatment. This study investigates the effect of essential oil (EO)-based preparations on biofilm adhesion to orthodontic archwires. Five identical-sized orthodontic archwires of different materials were tested using therapeutic and preventive applications of essential oils. This study also used molecular docking to explore how essential oil compounds interact with key proteins of common oral pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. We found that the constituent materials heavily influence the antimicrobial effects of essential oils on different orthodontic archwires. Stainless steel-based orthodontic archwires demonstrated the highest efficacy in antimicrobial protection against S. mutans strains (maximum BIP = 28.82% on the epoxy-coated SS). Conversely, inhibition effects in preventive applications against S. aureus were observed exclusively with titanium–molybdenum alloy orthodontic archwires across all tested emulsions (maximum BIP = 29.44%). CuNiTi alloys showed ineffectiveness in preventive treatments, as none of the EO mixtures inhibited biofilm development on this material. After biofilm contamination with S. mutans and S. aureuss strains, the ternary emulsion was most effective for four out of five orthodontic archwires. Computational analysis revealed strong binding interactions between essential oil compounds and key proteins of S. aureus and S. mutans, highlighting specific amino acid residues that are critical for these interactions. Based on the results, stainless steel with epoxy coating or TMA archwires, combined with BEO/CEO/OEO ternary mixture, are recommended for optimal antibacterial protection against biofilm formation on orthodontic archwires. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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13 pages, 7763 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Interaction of Apical Periodontitis, Cigarette Smoke, and Alcohol Consumption on Liver Antioxidant Status in Rats

by Danilo Cassiano Ferraz, Camilla Christian Gomes Moura, Nara Sarmento Macêdo Signorelli, Rodrigo César Rosa, Sanívia Aparecida de Lima Pereira, Ana Luiza Silva Borges, Vinícius Prado Bittar, Rener Mateus Francisco Duarte, Renata Roland Teixeira, Martinna Bertolini and Foued Salmen Espindola

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12011; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212011 - 8 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1195

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of alcohol (A), secondhand cigarette smoking (ShS), and their combined effect on liver antioxidant activity and hepatic damage in rats with induced apical periodontitis (AP). Thirty-five female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of alcohol (A), secondhand cigarette smoking (ShS), and their combined effect on liver antioxidant activity and hepatic damage in rats with induced apical periodontitis (AP). Thirty-five female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 7): (1) control (rats without ShS, alcoholic diet, or AP), (2) control-AP (induced AP only), (3) ShS-AP (ShS exposure and induced AP), (4) A-AP (alcoholic diet and induced AP), and (5) A+ShS-AP (alcoholic diet, ShS exposure, and induced AP). Alcohol was administered through semi-voluntary intake, while ShS exposure involved the daily inhalation of cigarette smoke. The experimental period lasted 8 weeks, with AP induction occurring in the 4th week following molar pulp exposure. Liver samples were collected post-euthanasia for histomorphometric and antioxidant marker analyses. All AP-induced groups exhibited increased liver sinusoidal dilation compared to the control group (p < 0.05). AP significantly reduced total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) across all groups (p < 0.05). In AP-induced groups, FRAP levels were further decreased in ShS-AP and A+ShS-AP compared to control-AP (p < 0.05). AP also led to a decrease in the glutathione defense system (p < 0.05). Rats with alcohol exposure (A-AP and A+ShS-AP) showed reduced glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.05). Glutathione reductase activity was comparable in the control and control-AP groups (p > 0.05), but significantly decreased in the alcohol and ShS-exposed groups (p < 0.05). Apical periodontitis can relate to morphological changes in the liver’s sinusoidal spaces and impairment of liver’s antioxidant capacity of rats, particularly when combined with chronic alcohol consumption and exposure to cigarette smoke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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16 pages, 5196 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Metal Nanoparticles in the Pathogenesis of Stone Formation

by Varvara Labis, Igor Gaiduk, Ernest Bazikyan, Dmitry Khmelenin, Olga Zhigalina, Irina Dyachkova, Denis Zolotov, Victor Asadchikov, Ivan Kravtsov, Nikita Polyakov, Andrey Solovyev, Kirill Prusakov, Dmitry Basmanov and Ivan G. Kozlov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9609; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179609 - 5 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1101

Abstract

The process of stone formation in the human body remains incompletely understood, which requires clinical and laboratory studies and the formulation of a new endogenous, nanotechnological concept of the mechanism of origin and formation of crystallization centers. Previously, the mechanism of sialolithiasis was [...] Read more.

The process of stone formation in the human body remains incompletely understood, which requires clinical and laboratory studies and the formulation of a new endogenous, nanotechnological concept of the mechanism of origin and formation of crystallization centers. Previously, the mechanism of sialolithiasis was considered a congenital disease associated with the pathology of the ducts in the structure of the glands themselves. To date, such morphological changes of congenital nature can be considered from the position of the intrauterine formation of endogenous bacterial infections complicated by the migration of antigenic structures initiating the formation of crystallization centers. The present work is devoted to the study of the morphology and composition of stones obtained as a result of surgical interventions for sialolithiasis. Presumably, nanoparticles of metals and other chemical compounds can be structural components of crystallization centers or incorporated into the conditions of chronic endogenous inflammation and the composition of antigenic structures, in complexes with protein and bacterial components. X-ray microtomography, X-ray fluorescence analysis, scanning transmission electron microscopy and microanalysis, mass spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy were used to study the pathogenesis of stone formation. Immunoglobulins (Igs) of classes A and G, as well as nanoparticles of metals Pb, Fe, Cr, and Mo, were found in the internal structure of the stones. The complex of antigenic structures was an ovoid calcified layered matrix of polyvid microbial biofilms, with the inclusion of metal nanoparticles and chemical elements, as well as immunoglobulins. The obtained results of clinical and laboratory studies allow us to broaden the view on the pathogenesis of stone formation and suggest that the occurrence of the calcification of antigenic structures may be associated with the formation of IgG4-associated disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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25 pages, 14504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Dental Tissues Mediate the Immunoregulation of T Cells through the Purinergic Pathway

by Luis Ignacio Poblano-Pérez, Alberto Monroy-García, Gladis Fragoso-González, María de Lourdes Mora-García, Andrés Castell-Rodríguez, Héctor Mayani, Marco Antonio Álvarez-Pérez, Sonia Mayra Pérez-Tapia, Zaira Macías-Palacios, Luis Vallejo-Castillo and Juan José Montesinos

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9578; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179578 - 4 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1429

Abstract

Human dental tissue mesenchymal stem cells (DT-MSCs) constitute an attractive alternative to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) for potential clinical applications because of their accessibility and anti-inflammatory capacity. We previously demonstrated that DT-MSCs from dental pulp (DP-MSCs), periodontal ligaments (PDL-MSCs), and gingival [...] Read more.

Human dental tissue mesenchymal stem cells (DT-MSCs) constitute an attractive alternative to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) for potential clinical applications because of their accessibility and anti-inflammatory capacity. We previously demonstrated that DT-MSCs from dental pulp (DP-MSCs), periodontal ligaments (PDL-MSCs), and gingival tissue (G-MSCs) show immunosuppressive effects similar to those of BM, but to date, the DT-MSC-mediated immunoregulation of T lymphocytes through the purinergic pathway remains unknown. In the present study, we compared DP-MSCs, PDL-MSCs, and G-MSCs in terms of CD26, CD39, and CD73 expression; their ability to generate adenosine (ADO) from ATP and AMP; and whether the concentrations of ADO that they generate induce an immunomodulatory effect on T lymphocytes. BM-MSCs were included as the gold standard. Our results show that DT-MSCs present similar characteristics among the different sources analyzed in terms of the properties evaluated; however, interestingly, they express more CD39 than BM-MSCs; therefore, they generate more ADO from ATP. In contrast to those produced by BM-MSCs, the concentrations of ADO produced by DT-MSCs from ATP inhibited the proliferation of CD3⁺ T cells and promoted the generation of CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺CD39⁺CD73⁺ Tregs and Th17⁺CD39⁺ lymphocytes. Our data suggest that DT-MSCs utilize the adenosinergic pathway as an immunomodulatory mechanism and that this mechanism is more efficient than that of BM-MSCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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12 pages, 2961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhibitory Effects of Surface Pre-Reacted Glass Ionomer Filler Eluate on Streptococcus mutans in the Presence of Sucrose

by Mariko Kametani, Tatsuya Akitomo, Masakazu Hamada, Momoko Usuda, Ami Kaneki, Masashi Ogawa, Shunya Ikeda, Yuya Ito, Shuma Hamaguchi, Satoru Kusaka, Yuria Asao, Yuko Iwamoto, Chieko Mitsuhata, Yuto Suehiro, Rena Okawa, Kazuhiko Nakano and Ryota Nomura

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179541 - 2 Sep 2024

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Abstract

The surface pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler is a type of bioactive functional glass that releases six different ions. This study examined the effects of the S-PRG filler eluate on Streptococcus mutans in the presence of sucrose. In a solution containing S. mutans [...] Read more.

The surface pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler is a type of bioactive functional glass that releases six different ions. This study examined the effects of the S-PRG filler eluate on Streptococcus mutans in the presence of sucrose. In a solution containing S. mutans, the concentrations of BO₃³⁻, Al³⁺, Sr²⁺, and F⁻ were significantly higher in the presence of the S-PRG filler eluate than in its absence (p < 0.001). The concentrations of these ions further increased in the presence of sucrose. Additionally, the S-PRG filler eluate significantly reduced glucan formation by S. mutans (p < 0.001) and significantly increased the pH of the bacterial suspension (p < 0.001). Bioinformatic analyses revealed that the S-PRG filler eluate downregulated genes involved in purine biosynthesis (purC, purF, purL, purM, and purN) and upregulated genes involved in osmotic pressure (opuAa and opuAb). At a low pH (5.0), the S-PRG filler eluate completely inhibited the growth of S. mutans in the presence of sucrose and significantly increased the osmotic pressure of the bacterial suspension compared with the control (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that ions released from the S-PRG filler induce gene expression changes and exert an inhibitory effect on S. mutans in the presence of sucrose. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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11 pages, 852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Degree of Contamination of Gutta-Percha Points by Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA/MSSA) Strains

by Ana Moura Teles, Cristina Pina, Inês Lopes Cardoso, Antea Tramontana, Miguel Cardoso, Ana Sofia Duarte, Maria Bartolomeu and Rita Noites

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8566; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168566 - 6 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1200

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered one of the most harmful bacteria to human health. Dentistry, like all healthcare disciplines, places great emphasis on preventing scenarios that may result in cross-infection. Although various tested and already used materials are suitable for filling the [...] Read more.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered one of the most harmful bacteria to human health. Dentistry, like all healthcare disciplines, places great emphasis on preventing scenarios that may result in cross-infection. Although various tested and already used materials are suitable for filling the root canal system, Gutta-Percha (GP) remains the preferred and widely accepted gold standard. Objective: We performed an in vitro analysis of the contamination of GP points, regarding the strains of Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and Methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus, using classical microbiology methods and molecular biology techniques. Methods: Gutta-Percha points of two different brands from opened packages (already in use for 1 month) were collected for analysis. The assessment involved incubating the GP points in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium to detect microbial growth. Growing microorganisms were plated on a selective and differential chromogenic medium for MRSA/MSSA strains, and the identification of isolates was confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). In the case of microbial growth, the GP point was submitted to a disinfection protocol. Results: From the 315 collected GP points, only 6 (1.9%) resulted in being positive for microbial growth. After confirmation by PCR, only one sample of the six GP points was contaminated by MRSA, and the remaining five were MSSA-contaminated. The disinfection protocol was effective in all contaminated GP points. Conclusions: The Gutta-Percha points from opened pre-sterilized packages showed a very low degree of contamination by MRSA/MSSA. However, the detection of MSSA and MRSA strains raises concerns about potential contamination in dental clinic environments, and this risk cannot be considered negligible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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32 pages, 14743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Streptococcus gordonii Supragingival Bacterium Oral Infection-Induced Periodontitis and Robust miRNA Expression Kinetics

by Chairmandurai Aravindraja, Syam Jeepipalli, William D. Duncan, Krishna Mukesh Vekariya, Shaik O. Rahaman, Edward K. L. Chan and Lakshmyya Kesavalu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6217; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116217 - 5 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1835

Abstract

Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii, Sg) is one of the early colonizing, supragingival commensal bacterium normally associated with oral health in human dental plaque. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the inflammation-mediated pathways and are involved in periodontal disease (PD) pathogenesis. [...] Read more.

Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii, Sg) is one of the early colonizing, supragingival commensal bacterium normally associated with oral health in human dental plaque. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the inflammation-mediated pathways and are involved in periodontal disease (PD) pathogenesis. PD is a polymicrobial dysbiotic immune-inflammatory disease initiated by microbes in the gingival sulcus/pockets. The objective of this study is to determine the global miRNA expression kinetics in S. gordonii DL1-infected C57BL/6J mice. All mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 mice/group; 5 males and 5 females). Bacterial infection was performed in mice at 8 weeks and 16 weeks, mice were euthanized, and tissues harvested for analysis. We analyzed differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in the mandibles of S. gordonii-infected mice. Gingival colonization/infection by S. gordonii and alveolar bone resorption (ABR) was confirmed. All the S. gordonii-infected mice at two specific time points showed bacterial colonization (100%) in the gingival surface, and a significant increase in mandible and maxilla ABR (p < 0.0001). miRNA profiling revealed 191 upregulated miRNAs (miR-375, miR-34b-5p) and 22 downregulated miRNAs (miR-133, miR-1224) in the mandibles of S. gordonii-infected mice at the 8-week mark. Conversely, at 16 weeks post-infection, 10 miRNAs (miR-1902, miR-203) were upregulated and 32 miRNAs (miR-1937c, miR-720) were downregulated. Two miRNAs, miR-210 and miR-423-5p, were commonly upregulated, and miR-2135 and miR-145 were commonly downregulated in both 8- and 16-week-infected mice mandibles. Furthermore, we employed five machine learning (ML) algorithms to assess how the number of miRNA copies correlates with S. gordonii infections in mice. In the ML analyses, miR-22 and miR-30c (8-week), miR-720 and miR-339-5p (16-week), and miR-720, miR-22, and miR-339-5p (combined 8- and 16-week) emerged as the most influential miRNAs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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Review

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15 pages, 1429 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Involvement of Resolvins in Pathological Mechanisms of Periodontal Disease Associated with Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review

by Larisa Ghemiș, Ancuta Goriuc, Raluca Jipu, Liliana Georgeta Foia and Ionut Luchian

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12784; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312784 - 28 Nov 2024

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Abstract

Resolvins are specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) derived from omega-3 fatty acids that play a critical role in resolving inflammation and restoring tissues to a state of health after an immune response. Their role in chronic inflammatory conditions highlights their importance in maintaining a [...] Read more.

Resolvins are specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) derived from omega-3 fatty acids that play a critical role in resolving inflammation and restoring tissues to a state of health after an immune response. Their role in chronic inflammatory conditions highlights their importance in maintaining a balance between an effective immune response and the resolution of inflammation to prevent tissue damage. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth, leading to gum damage and bone loss. Chronic inflammation in periodontal disease can exacerbate systemic inflammation and influence other conditions, such as diabetes. There is a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease, as both are characterized by chronic inflammation and exacerbate systemic and oral health complications. This narrative review aims to synthesize the current knowledge on how resolvins influence inflammatory pathways and the tissue repair mechanism in periodontal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, this review serves as a foundation for developing targeted therapeutic strategies, addressing the pressing need for effective treatments that consider both systemic and oral health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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18 pages, 939 KiB

Open AccessReview

Periodontal Molecular Diagnostics: State of Knowledge and Future Prospects for Clinical Application

by Ewa Dolińska, Patryk Wiśniewski and Małgorzata Pietruska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12624; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312624 - 25 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1316

Abstract

Periodontitis leads to immunologically mediated loss of periodontium and, if untreated, can result in tooth loss. Periodontal diseases are the most prevalent in the world and have a very strong impact on patients’ well-being and general health. Their treatment generates enormous costs. Given [...] Read more.

Periodontitis leads to immunologically mediated loss of periodontium and, if untreated, can result in tooth loss. Periodontal diseases are the most prevalent in the world and have a very strong impact on patients’ well-being and general health. Their treatment generates enormous costs. Given the above, precise, prompt, and predictive diagnosis of periodontal disease is of paramount importance for clinicians. The aim of the study was to summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge of molecular periodontal diagnostics and the utility of its clinical application. There is a great need to have diagnostic tests that not only describe the periodontal destruction that has occurred in the tissues but also allow clinicians to detect disease at a subclinical level before the changes occur. A test that would enable clinicians to follow the course of the disease and detect areas prone to exacerbation could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing periodontal therapies. Unfortunately, there is no such diagnostic method yet. A hopeful prospect is molecular diagnostics. There are numerous studies on biomarkers of periodontal disease. Point-of-care tests are also emerging. There are possibilities for processing large biological datasets (omics data). However, all of the above have a minor role in the overall single-patient diagnostics process. Despite advances in microbiological, molecular, and genetic research, the basis of periodontal diagnosis is still clinical examination enriched by the evaluation of radiological images. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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20 pages, 1121 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Bloody Crossroads: Interactions between Periodontitis and Hematologic Diseases

by Michał Łobacz, Paulina Mertowska, Sebastian Mertowski, Aleksandra Kozińska, Wojciech Kwaśniewski, Marek Kos, Ewelina Grywalska and Mansur Rahnama-Hezavah

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6115; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116115 - 1 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2765

Abstract

Periodontitis is a common oral condition that can have a significant impact on the overall health of the body. In recent years, attention has been paid to potential relationships between periodontitis and various hematological disorders. This publication aims to present information available in [...] Read more.

Periodontitis is a common oral condition that can have a significant impact on the overall health of the body. In recent years, attention has been paid to potential relationships between periodontitis and various hematological disorders. This publication aims to present information available in the literature on this relationship, focusing on examples of red blood cell disorders (such as aplastic anemia and sickle cell anemia) and white blood cell disorders (such as cyclic neutropenia, maladaptive trained immunity, clonal hematopoiesis, leukemia, and multiple myeloma). Understanding these associations can help physicians and dentists better diagnose, monitor, and treat patients associated with both groups of conditions, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary care for patients with oral disorders and hematologic diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives)

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Dental Health and Disease: From the Molecular and Pathological Perspectives

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