The Emerging Role of microRNA in Periodontitis: Pathophysiology, Clinical Potential and Future Molecular Perspectives

Abstract

During the last few decades, it has been established that messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) transcription does not inevitably lead to protein translation, but there are numerous processes involved in post-transcriptional regulation, which is a continuously developing field of research. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs, which negatively regulate protein expression and are implicated in several physiological and pathological mechanisms. Aberrant expression of miRNAs triggers dysregulation of multiple cellular processes involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. For many years, it was thought that miRNAs acted only within the cell in which they were synthesised, but, recently, they have been found outside cells bound to lipids and proteins, or enclosed in extracellular vesicles, namely exosomes. They can circulate throughout the body, transferring information between cells and altering gene expression in the recipient cells, as they can fuse with and be internalised by the recipient cells. Numerous studies on miRNAs have been conducted in order to identify possible biomarkers that can be used in the diagnosis of periodontal disease. However, as therapeutic agents, single miRNAs can target several genes and influence multiple regulatory networks. The aim of this review was to examine the molecular role of miRNAs and exosomes in the pathophysiology of periodontal disease and to evaluate possible clinical and future implications for a personalised therapeutical approach.

MZB1 targeted by miR‐185‐5p inhibits the migration of human periodontal ligament cells through NF‐κB signaling and promotes alveolar bone loss

“…Wang et al 30 showed that upregulation of miRNA‐185‐5p inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Recent studies have also reported that miRNAs are involved in the development of periodontal disease, especially the process of alveolar bone destruction 31 . In the pathogenesis of periodontitis, dysregulated miRNAs such as microrornaslet‐7a, miR‐125b, miR‐100, and miR‐21 have been reported 32 .…”

Integrative Analysis of Deregulated miRNAs Reveals Candidate Molecular Mechanisms Linking H. pylori Infected Peptic Ulcer Disease with Periodontitis

“…miRNA-mediated deregulation of gene expression is likely to be a key molecular mechanism linking periodontitis with systemic diseases [ 25 ]. The genes with the highest degrees in shared-DEminRNA-gene network included PTEN, CCND1, MDM2, SCD, and TNRC6A, and these may be important miRNA-deregulated mediators linking H. pylori infection and periodontitis.…”

“…Similar studies using multiple large datasets with comprehensive metadata are essential. An important caveat is that deregulated exosomal or circulatory miRNA was not analyzed in the present investigation, and these may be more important in the pathogenic mechanisms linking periodontitis with systemic disease [ 25 ]. In addition, future studies may address deregulated, genes, or other noncoding RNAs as linkage mechanisms.…”

“…miRNAs have been identified as biomarkers of periodontal disease [ 23 ], and bioinformatic investigation has identified miR-125a-3p, miR-200a, and miR-142-3p as key deregulated miRNA in periodontitis [ 24 ]. In principle, deregulated miRNAs in periodontitis are not contratined to the tissue and can possibly enter circulation via exosomal carriage and thereby alter gene expression in remote sites [ 25 ]. In support, miR-146a has been implicated in the association of periodontitis with cardiovascular disease [ 26 ].…”

Early Biomarkers of Periodontitis: New Challenges for a Personalized Medicine Approach

“…In this regard, saliva has been studied thoroughly as a potential diagnostic tool because its collection is non-invasive and economical. Salivary miRNA expression is modulated by various systemic diseases [ 15 ].…”