MicroRNA Modulation in Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease arises from a complex interplay between microbial dysbiosis, host immunity and tissue remodelling. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that exert post-transcriptional control over gene expression, orchestrating innate and adaptive immune responses as well as bone metabolism. In periodontitis, altered miRNA profiles in gingival tissues, crevicular fluid and circulating exosomes influence cytokine production, osteoclast differentiation and fibroblast function. Distinct miRNA signatures correspond to disease stage and severity, with certain miRNAs promoting inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α, while others support osteogenic pathways via targets in MET and Ras signalling. Advances in miRNA delivery systems, including nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles, are driving translational efforts to harness miRNA modulation for precision diagnostics and therapeutics, aiming to limit alveolar bone loss and enhance tissue regeneration.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have quantified specific miRNAs in gingival crevicular fluid across different stages of periodontitis, demonstrating upregulation of miR-103a-3p, miR-23a-3p, miR-15a-5p, miR-423-5p and miR-223-3p in moderate and severe disease. These profiles correlate closely with clinical indices and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α, suggesting a dual role as biomarkers of disease stage and modulators of inflammatory cascades. This work underscores the feasibility of crevicular miRNA panels for non-invasive monitoring and stratification of periodontal disease severity.

MicroRNA Modulation in Periodontal Disease publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna modulation in periodontal disease across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA (miRNA): Small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNA for degradation or translational repression.

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF): A serum-derived exudate collected from the gingival sulcus, serving as a source for periodontal biomarkers.

Exosome: Nanometre-scale extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acids and proteins, mediating intercellular communication.

Osteogenic differentiation: The process by which precursor cells develop into osteoblasts, facilitating bone formation and regeneration.

References

1. TNFα, IL-6, miR-103a-3p, miR-423-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-15a-5p and miR-223-3p in the crevicular fluid of periodontopathic patients correlate with each other and at different stages of the disease. Scientific Reports (2023).
2. miRNAs from Inflamed Gingiva Link Gene Signaling to Increased MET Expression. Journal of Dental Research (2023).
3. Oral Spirochete Treponema denticola Intraoral Infection Reveals Unique miR-133a, miR-486, miR-126-3p, miR-126-5p miRNA Expression Kinetics during Periodontitis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
4. Plasma- and Saliva Exosome Profile Reveals a Distinct MicroRNA Signature in Chronic Periodontitis. Frontiers in Physiology (2020).