Transcriptomics and methylomics in chronic periodontitis with tobacco use: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Oral biology
• Epigenetics
• Genomics

Background:

• Tobacco smoking is linked to increased chronic periodontitis risk and severity.
• Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, may mediate smoking's effects on periodontal disease.
• Understanding these molecular pathways is crucial for managing periodontitis in smokers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the transcriptomic and methylomic alterations in gingival tissues associated with smoking and periodontitis.
• To identify specific genes and pathways affected by smoking in the context of periodontal disease.
• To elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying smoking's impact on periodontal health.

Main Methods:

• Obtained gingival tissue samples from 20 patients (smokers/non-smokers, periodontitis/non-periodontitis).
• Performed transcriptome and methylome analyses using Illumina NextSeq500 sequencing.
• Conducted comprehensive bioinformatics analyses including differential gene expression and DNA methylation analysis.

Main Results:

• Smoking significantly altered gene expression and DNA methylation patterns in gingival tissues.
• Identified changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization-related genes.
• Correlations between methylation changes and gene expression suggested a link to disease exacerbation.

Conclusions:

• Smoking-induced epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation changes, affect ECM component genes.
• These alterations in ECM organization may contribute to increased susceptibility and severity of periodontitis in smokers.
• Epigenetic dysregulation of ECM genes offers a potential mechanism for smoking's detrimental effects on periodontal health.