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Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
MicroRNAs as Salivary Markers for Periodontal Diseases: A New Diagnostic Approach?
Gerhard Schmalz1, Simin Li1, Ralph Burkhardt2
1Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract:
The aim of this review is to discuss current findings regarding the roles of miRNAs in periodontal diseases and the potential use of saliva as a diagnostic medium for corresponding miRNA investigations. For periodontal disease, investigations have been restricted to tissue samples and five miRNAs, that is, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-203, and miR-223, were repeatedly validated in vivo and in vitro by different validation methods. Particularly noticeable are the small sample sizes, different internal controls, and different case definitions of periodontitis in in vivo studies. Beside of that, the validated miRNAs are associated with inflammation and therefore with various diseases. Furthermore, several studies successfully explored the use of salivary miRNA species for the diagnosis of oral cancer. Different cancer types were investigated and heterogeneous methodology was used; moreover, no overlap of results was found. In conclusion, five miRNAs have consistently been reported for periodontitis; however, their disease specificity, detectability, and expression in saliva and their importance as noninvasive markers are questionable. In principle, a salivary miRNA diagnostic method seems feasible. However, standardized criteria and protocols for preanalytics, measurements, and analysis should be established to obtain comparable results across different studies.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show potential in diagnosing periodontal disease using saliva. However, current research on these salivary biomarkers requires standardization for reliable, noninvasive diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Periodontal diseases involve complex inflammatory processes.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in various inflammatory conditions.
- Saliva is an emerging medium for noninvasive disease diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on miRNAs in periodontal diseases.
- To assess the potential of saliva as a diagnostic medium for periodontal disease-related miRNAs.
- To evaluate the utility of specific miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating miRNAs in periodontal disease.
- Analysis of miRNA validation methods and sample types (tissue vs. saliva).
- Comparison of methodologies used in salivary miRNA research for oral cancer diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Five miRNAs (miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-203, miR-223) are repeatedly validated in periodontal disease research.
- Studies often suffer from small sample sizes and varied methodologies.
- Salivary miRNAs show promise for oral cancer diagnosis, but results are heterogeneous.
- The disease specificity and salivary expression of periodontitis-related miRNAs are questionable.
Conclusions:
- While five miRNAs are consistently reported for periodontitis, their diagnostic value as noninvasive salivary markers is uncertain.
- A salivary miRNA diagnostic approach is feasible in principle.
- Standardized protocols for preanalytics, measurement, and analysis are crucial for reliable results.
