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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
In Situ Detection of Bacteria within Paraffin-embedded Tissues Using a Digoxin-labeled DNA Probe Targeting 16S rRNA
Published on: May 21, 2015
Identification of gingival junctional epithelium-associated genes reflected in periodontal clinical parameters
Misaki Matsuzaki1, Yoshito Ochiai1, Takumi Morita1
1Department of Periodontology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Matsudo, Japan.
Purpose:
The expression of gingival junctional epithelium (JE)-associated genes, including amelotin (AMTN), odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM), and follicular dendritic cell-secreted protein (FDCSP), has been reported to increase during gingival inflammation. However, the associations between the expression levels of JE-associated genes and periodontal clinical parameters remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate this association.
Methods:
The study included patients with chronic periodontitis who were undergoing supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the associations between the RNA levels of JE-associated genes and periodontal clinical parameters.
Results:
In total, 101 patients were included in this study. After excluding undetectable values for JE-associated gene messenger RNA levels, Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed weak positive correlations between AMTN expression and the bleeding on probing (BOP) rate (n=46, rs=0.4152), periodontal inflamed surface area (rs=0.3912), and the proportion of sites with probing depth of 4-5 mm (rs=0.3270). No significant correlations were observed between ODAM (n=79) or FDCSP (n=84) expression and periodontal clinical parameters. Multiple regression analysis using these clinical parameters as response variables and JE-associated genes as explanatory variables revealed a positive association between AMTN expression and BOP rate. In a second regression model with the reverse structure, AMTN expression was also associated with significant differences in BOP rate. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis further indicated a significant relationship between AMTN expression and a 9% BOP rate threshold.
Conclusions:
Despite the limited sample size resulting from undetectable JE-associated gene expression levels, salivary AMTN expression may have potential as a biomarker for the ancillary evaluation of periodontal inflammatory activity during SPT. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings across diverse populations.
