Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Isolation, Processing and Analysis of Murine Gingival Cells
Published on: July 2, 2013
Gingival crevicular fluid microRNA associations with periodontitis
Adomas Rovas1, Alina Puriene1, Kristina Snipaitiene2
1Institute of Odontology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University.
Purpose:
The present study was performed to assess the associations of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) microRNAs miR-140-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-195-5p with periodontitis (PD) and to evaluate the possible influence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in this context.
Method:
GCF samples were collected from 134 individuals with PD and 76 periodontally healthy individuals, with or without RA. After miRNA extraction from GCF, the levels of miR-140-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-195-5p were assessed using RT-qPCR.
Results:
MiR-146a-5p levels were significantly lower among the patients with PD than among the healthy individuals (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with PD severity based on PD stage and periodontal outcome parameters (P < 0.05). Patients with severe PD had higher GCF levels of miR-140-3p and miR-145-5p than did periodontally healthy individuals (P < 0.05). Significant AUC values for diagnosis of severe PD were revealed for miR-140-3p (AUC = 0.614, P = 0.022), miR-145-5p (AUC = 0.621, P = 0.016) and miR-146a-5p (AUC = 0.702, P < 0.001). Combination of the aforementioned miRNAs increased the diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.709, P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
It was demonstrated that miR-140-3p, miR-145-5p and miR-146a-5p were associated with PD and would be potentially effective for GCF-based non-invasive periodontitis diagnostics in patients with and without RA.
Insights
Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) show potential for diagnosing periodontitis (PD). MiR-140-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-146a-5p levels in GCF can help detect PD, even in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Area of Science:
- Oral Biology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Periodontology
Background:
- Periodontitis (PD) is a common inflammatory disease affecting gums and supporting bone.
- Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) contains biomarkers that may aid in PD diagnosis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can influence systemic inflammation and potentially impact periodontal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific GCF microRNAs (miRNAs) and periodontitis (PD).
- To assess the diagnostic potential of miR-140-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-195-5p in GCF for PD.
- To evaluate the influence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on these miRNA levels in the context of PD.
Main Methods:
- GCF samples were collected from individuals with and without PD, with or without RA.
- MicroRNA (miRNA) levels were extracted from GCF samples.
- Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure specific miRNA levels.
Main Results:
- miR-146a-5p levels were significantly lower in patients with PD and correlated negatively with PD severity.
- Patients with severe PD exhibited higher GCF levels of miR-140-3p and miR-145-5p compared to healthy individuals.
- Specific miRNAs (miR-140-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p) showed diagnostic potential for severe PD, with combined analysis improving accuracy.
Conclusions:
- miR-140-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-146a-5p are associated with periodontitis (PD).
- These miRNAs show promise as biomarkers for non-invasive, GCF-based diagnostics of PD.
- The findings are relevant for patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

