microRNAs: new insights into the pathogenesis of endodontic periapical disease

microRNAs: new insights into the pathogenesis of endodontic periapical disease Public Deposited

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Abstract

Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the periradicular tissues caused by the host's immune response to infection of the root canal system. MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been shown to play an important role in the regulation of inflammation and the immune response; however, their role in the pathogenesis of endodontic periapical disease has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the differential expression of miRNAs in diseased periapical tissues as compared to healthy periodontal ligament and pulp tissues. miRNA profiles were assessed using microarray technology and expression levels of selected miRNAs linked to inflammation and the immune response were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. Of the 381 miRNAs identified using microarray, 24 miRNAs were down-regulated in diseased periapical tissues compared to controls (n=13) (P<0.003). Down-regulation of 7 of 9 selected miRNAs was confirmed by qRT-PCR in a separate set of diseased and healthy tissues (n=19) (P<0.05). Target genes of these miRNAs include key mediators in the immune and inflammatory response such as of IL-6, MMP-9 and TGF-B;. These findings offer new insight into the pathogenesis of endodontic disease and have the potential to impact the development of new methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of apical periodontitis.

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