Sex Variations in the Oral Microbiomes of Youths with Severe Periodontitis

Abstract

Objective. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of microbial etiology caused primarily by dysbiosis of the oral microbiota. Our aim was to compare variations in the composition of the oral microbiomes of youths with severe periodontitis according to gender. Methods. Subgingival plaque samples collected from 17 patients with severe periodontitis (11 males and 6 females) were split for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The composition, α-diversity, and β-diversity of the patients’ oral microbiomes were compared between the males and the females. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was used to analyze the specific taxa enriched in the two groups. Functional profiles (KEGG pathways) were obtained using PICRUSt based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Results. The Chao1 index and phylogenetic diversity whole tree were significantly higher in males than in females. The Simpson and Shannon indices were not significantly different between the two groups. β-Diversity suggested that the samples were reasonably divided into groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test based on the relative abundance of species, combined with the LEfSe analysis showed that the dominant bacteria in males were Pseudomonas and Papillibacter, whereas the dominant bacteria in women were Fusobacteriales and Tannerella. KEGG analysis predicted that the variation in the oral microbiome may be related to the immune system in women, whereas immune system diseases were the dominant pathway in men. Conclusion. We found sex-specific differences in the oral microbiome in a sample of youths with severe periodontitis. The differences may be related to changes in immune homeostasis and lead to a better understanding of periodontitis.

Global Noncoding microRNA Profiling in Mice Infected with Partial Human Mouth Microbes (PAHMM) Using an Ecological Time-Sequential Polybacterial Periodontal Infection (ETSPPI) Model Reveals Sex-Specific Differential microRNA Expression

“…These in vivo data clearly suggest that these bacteria can synergistically alter the host's immune competence with the increased production of virulence factors (i.e., P. gingivalis virulence factors decrease the host response) by subverting innate-immune signaling [38]. Thus, a sex-specific difference in the induction of immunity correlates with sex-specific differences in the oral microbiome and the clinical severity and incidence of PD among women and men [15]. High-throughput miRNA profiling documented 190 DE miRNAs in male mandibles and 188 DE miRNAs in female mandibles.…”

“…Furthermore, men have a stronger inflammatory response to bacterial infection and greater osteoclast-driven alveolar bone resorption (ABR) than women [14]. Moreover, a recent study also reported sex-specific differences in the oral microbiome in patients with severe periodontitis [15].…”

The oral microbiome in young women at different stages of periodontitis: Prevotella dominant in stage III periodontitis

“…SHHs can regulate the composition and behavior of oral microorganisms, which is an important factor in oral microbiomes dysbiosis. Previously, we revealed sex-based variations in the oral microbiomes with regard to periodontitis ( Zhao et al., 2021b ; Zhao et al., 2021a ). The dominant bacteria in males with severe periodontitis were those of the genera Pseudomonas and Papillibacter whereas, in females, they were from the genus Tannerella and order Fusobacteriales ( Zhao et al., 2021b ).…”

“…Previously, we revealed sex-based variations in the oral microbiomes with regard to periodontitis ( Zhao et al., 2021b ; Zhao et al., 2021a ). The dominant bacteria in males with severe periodontitis were those of the genera Pseudomonas and Papillibacter whereas, in females, they were from the genus Tannerella and order Fusobacteriales ( Zhao et al., 2021b ). For older patients with periodontitis, the predominant bacterial genus was Haemophilus in males and Campylobacter in females ( Zhao et al., 2021a ).…”

The oral microbiota and cardiometabolic health: A comprehensive review and emerging insights

“…It has been reported that cardiovascular disease may be caused by periodontal disease via mechanisms such as inflammatory response, oxidative stress, immune response, and platelet aggregation (19, 30). Variations in the manifestations of dysbiosis have also been observed between patients of different sexes and between patients with or without dental caries/missing teeth (31,32). Studies have found that patterns of oral dysbiosis may induce the host's immune response (30); however certain pathogens may synergistically induce immunosuppression through an association with signaling pathways.…”