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Updated: Jul 23, 2025
Experimental Model of Ligature-Induced Peri-Implantitis in Mice
Published on: May 17, 2024
Dysregulated m6A methylation modification is associated with human peri-implantitis - A pilot study
Harini Sri Krishnamoorthy1, Balachander Kannan2, Dhanraj Ganapathy1
1Department of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
Background:
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification and its regulatory enzymes play important roles in the modulation of inflammation by regulating inflammation-related gene expression. Dysregulation of m6A has been associated with inflammatory diseases, including periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of m6A modification and its master regulatory enzyme METTL3 in patients with peri‑implantitis.
Materials And Methods:
Peri-implant soft tissues from 20 subjects (10 healthy controls and 10 patients with peri‑implantitis) were enrolled in this study. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect METTL3 gene expression and western blotting was used to detect METTL3 protein expression. The m6A mRNA levels were measured using an m6A-RNA methylation quantification kit. Protein-protein interaction networks and in silico functional analyses were conducted using various bioinformatics tools.
Results:
m6A mRNA levels significantly increased in the peri‑implantitis group. Higher METTL3 mRNA and protein levels were observed in the peri‑implantitis group. High METTL3 expression might influence elevated levels of m6A RNA methylation. In addition, in silico functional analysis indicated that the METTL3 gene and protein were associated with inflammatory pathways.
Conclusions:
Our data provide evidence, for the first time, that dysregulation of m6A modification is associated with peri‑implantitis and may represent a strong risk factor for this inflammatory disease.
Insights
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is elevated in peri-implantitis, linked to higher METTL3 levels. This suggests m6A dysregulation may be a risk factor for this inflammatory condition.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Dental Research
Background:
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification regulates inflammation-related gene expression.
- Dysregulation of m6A is implicated in inflammatory diseases like periodontitis.
- Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition affecting tissues around dental implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of m6A modification in peri-implantitis.
- To examine the expression of the m6A regulatory enzyme METTL3 in peri-implantitis patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of peri-implant soft tissues from healthy controls and peri-implantitis patients.
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) for METTL3 gene expression.
- Western blotting for METTL3 protein expression.
- m6A mRNA level quantification.
- Bioinformatic analyses including protein-protein interaction networks and functional analysis.
Main Results:
- m6A mRNA levels were significantly increased in patients with peri-implantitis.
- Higher METTL3 mRNA and protein levels were observed in the peri-implantitis group.
- In silico analysis linked METTL3 to inflammatory pathways.
Conclusions:
- m6A RNA modification is dysregulated in peri-implantitis.
- Elevated METTL3 expression correlates with increased m6A levels in peri-implantitis.
- m6A modification dysregulation may be a significant risk factor for peri-implantitis.
