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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice
Published on: August 6, 2019
Comparative evaluation of microRNA-155 expression level and its correlation with tumor necrotizing factor α and
Ahmad Mogharehabed1, Jaber Yaghini1, Ania Aminzadeh2
1Dental Implant Research Center, Department of Periodontology, Dental Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Background:
MicroRNAs are a class of small noncoding ribonucleic acids that perform a critical role in adjustment of gene expression. miRNAs-155 (miR-155) participates in controlling inflammation. Periodontitis is defined as inflammatory disorder of tissues surrounding the teeth. In this study, the expression levels of miR-155 and its target genes, tumor necrotizing factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were evaluated in a group of Iranian patients.
Materials And Methods:
This sectional study was performed on 10 healthy controls and 10 individuals with chronic periodontitis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. For each individual, clinical parameters including probing depth and clinical attachment loss and blood samples were measured. Levels of miR-155, TNF-α, and IL-6 were quantified using real-time PCR (α=0/05) and the results were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
The level of miR-155 was significantly higher in patients with chronic periodontitis (P < 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between the level of miR-155 and clinical parameters (P < 0.05). Level of miR-155 in tissue samples was correlated with blood samples although the expression level was higher in blood samples.
Conclusion:
As the expression level of miR-155, TNF-α, and IL-6 genes was higher in subjects with chronic periodontitis than healthy individuals, it might suggest a role for miR-155 in patients with chronic periodontitis.
Insights
MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) levels are elevated in chronic periodontitis patients, correlating with disease severity. This suggests miR-155 plays a role in the inflammatory processes of periodontitis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- MicroRNAs regulate gene expression; miR-155 is involved in inflammation.
- Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease affecting tissues around teeth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate miR-155 expression and its target genes (TNF-α, IL-6) in Iranian patients with chronic periodontitis.
- To investigate the correlation between miR-155 levels and clinical parameters of periodontitis.
Main Methods:
- A sectional study involving 10 healthy controls and 10 chronic periodontitis patients.
- Real-time PCR used to quantify miR-155, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in blood and tissue samples.
- Clinical parameters (probing depth, clinical attachment loss) were measured.
Main Results:
- miR-155 levels were significantly higher in periodontitis patients (P < 0.001).
- A positive correlation was found between miR-155 levels and clinical parameters (P < 0.05).
- miR-155 expression was higher in blood samples compared to tissue samples.
Conclusions:
- Elevated miR-155, TNF-α, and IL-6 expression in chronic periodontitis patients suggests a role for miR-155 in the disease.
- miR-155 may be a potential biomarker or therapeutic target in periodontitis.
