J Periodontal Implant Sci.  2020 Oct;50(5):281-290. 10.5051/jpis.2000120006.

Differential expression of microRNAs in the saliva of patients with aggressive periodontitis: a pilot study of potential biomarkers for aggressive periodontitis

• Lee NH
• Lee E
• Kim YS
• Kim WK
• Lee YK
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2511807
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5051/jpis.2000120006

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to compare microRNA (miRNA) gene expression in saliva using miRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays in healthy and aggressive periodontitis (AP) patients.
Methods
PCR arrays of 84 miRNAs related to the human inflammatory response and autoimmunity from the saliva samples of 4 patients with AP and 4 healthy controls were performed. The functions and diseases related to the miRNAs were obtained using TAM 2.0. Experimentally validated targets of differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained from mirTarBase. Gene ontology terms and pathways were analyzed using ConsensusPathDB.
Results
Four downregulated miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-181b-5p, and hsa-miR-23b-3p) were identified in patients with AP. These miRNAs are associated with cell death and innate immunity, and they target genes associated with osteoclast development and function.
Conclusions
This study is the first analysis of miRNAs in the saliva of patients with AP. Identifying discriminatory human salivary miRNA biomarkers reflective of periodontal disease in a non-invasive screening assay is crucial for the development of salivary diagnostics. These data provide a first step towards the discovery of key salivary miRNA biomarkers for AP.

Keyword

Aggressive periodontitis; Biomarkers; MicroRNAs; Saliva