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Molecular Biology in Dentistry: Innovations in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Biomaterials
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Molecular Biology in Dentistry: Innovations in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Biomaterials

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2025) | Viewed by 7261

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Maddalena Marrapodi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80121 Naples, Italy
Interests: dentistry; oral rehabilitation; oral cancer; laser therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Valentina Belli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Cancer Institute—IRCCS, Fondazione “G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: molecular oncology; drug delivery; cell and molecular biology; drug resistance; biomarkers; patient-derived tumour models; organoids; signalling pathways; novel therapeutic strategy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a new Special Issue titled “Molecular Biology in Dentistry: Innovations in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Biomaterials”. The field of dentistry is witnessing significant advancements through the application of molecular biology techniques. These innovations are shaping the future of diagnostic methods, therapeutic approaches, and biomaterial development within oral health care. Molecular research is unveiling new insights into oral diseases, the oral microbiome, tissue regeneration, and biomimetic materials, which offer promising solutions for enhanced dental restorations, periodontal treatments, and implantology. This Special Issue will focus on the intersection of molecular biology and dentistry, with an emphasis on topics such as regenerative dentistry, gene therapy for oral conditions, the role of molecular pathways in dental diseases, and the development of bioactive materials for dental applications. We invite researchers and clinicians to contribute original research articles, reviews, short communications, case series, and case reports that explore the molecular aspects of dentistry, helping to bridge the gap between molecular biology and clinical practice for better patient outcomes.

Dr. Maria Maddalena Marrapodi
Dr. Valentina Belli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • oral microbiome
  • tissue regeneration
  • biomimetic materials

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5434 KB  
Article
Screening of Salivary Biomarkers of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in a Diabetic Rat Model
by Ke Qin, Masato Nakagawa, Yoichi Sumi, Baiyan Zhang, Mamoru Uemura and Yoshitomo Honda
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(12), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47121002 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Diabetes is a significant risk factor for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), a severe oral complication with limited treatment options. Salivary testing offers a noninvasive approach for monitoring BRONJ risk; however, few studies have investigated salivary biomarkers in BRONJ. This study screened [...] Read more.
Diabetes is a significant risk factor for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), a severe oral complication with limited treatment options. Salivary testing offers a noninvasive approach for monitoring BRONJ risk; however, few studies have investigated salivary biomarkers in BRONJ. This study screened salivary biomarkers that reflect the progression of BRONJ under diabetic conditions. A diabetic BRONJ rat model was established to screen for diabetes-related biochemical biomarkers in saliva. Streptozotocin (STZ) administration elevated blood glucose and glycated albumin levels and altered lipid and renal function markers, confirming diabetes induction. Subsequent zoledronic acid (ZA) administration and extraction of the maxillary first molar delayed epithelialization, inflammatory cell infiltration, bone exposure, and necrosis in extraction sockets, indicating successful establishment of a diabetic BRONJ model. This model showed reductions in submandibular and sublingual gland size, as well as in acinar cell number. Although salivary secretion volume was reduced, saliva samples were successfully collected from all groups. Screening identified elevated urea nitrogen (UN) and total ketone bodies (T-KB) in the STZ + ZA group. These findings suggest that salivary UN and T-KB may reflect disease progression and serve as potential biomarkers for predicting BRONJ risk under diabetic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology in Dentistry: Innovations in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Biomaterials)
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10 pages, 3028 KB  
Article
Vitamin D and LL-37 in Serum and Saliva: Insights into Oral Immunity
by Sotiria Davidopoulou, Kali Makedou, Areti Kourti, Ioanna Gkeka, Panagiotis Karakostas, Maria Pikilidou, Kosmas Tolidis and Sotirios Kalfas
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(2), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47020102 - 6 Feb 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2082
Abstract
(1) Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding the innate immunity of the mouth, particularly the mechanisms through which vitamin D influences oral health. Researchers have increasingly focused on the association between vitamin D and the antimicrobial peptide [...] Read more.
(1) Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding the innate immunity of the mouth, particularly the mechanisms through which vitamin D influences oral health. Researchers have increasingly focused on the association between vitamin D and the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 since the CAMP gene, responsible for encoding the LL-37 peptide, is a direct target of both vitamin D and its receptor (vitamin D receptor, VDR). This study aimed to explore the correlation between the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the concentration of the LL-37 peptide in both serum and saliva. The objective was to compare the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and ll-37 with those in saliva and to access the correlations between the two compounds. (2) Methods: Serum and whole saliva samples were collected from 72 healthy adults (mean age 28.68 ± 8.35). The levels of 25(OH)D and LL-37 were assessed in both the saliva and serum samples using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. (3) Results: The 25(OH)D levels in the serum (median 5.92 ng/mL, min–max 2.7–10.4 ng/mL) correlated with the LL-37 serum levels (62 ng/mL, min–max 18–378 ng/mL; Pearson’s r 0.328, p = 0.005). Additionally, the 25(OH)D levels in saliva (median 1.16 ng/mL, min–max 0.54–2.12 ng/mL) strongly correlated with the LL-37 salivary levels (median 44 ng/mL, min–max 6.5–205 ng/mL; Pearson’s r 0.667, p < 0.001). The 25(OH)D salivary levels demonstrated a robust correlation with the LL-37 salivary levels. (4) Conclusions: This discovery emphasizes the complex interplay between vitamin D and LL-37 and lay the groundwork for the further exploration of vitamin D’s role in oral immune function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology in Dentistry: Innovations in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Biomaterials)
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Review

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21 pages, 1089 KB  
Review
Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
by Dana Gabriela Budala, Ionut Luchian, Dragos Ioan Virvescu, Teona Tudorici, Vlad Constantin, Zinovia Surlari, Oana Butnaru, Dan Nicolae Bosinceanu, Cosmin Bida and Monica Hancianu
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(7), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47070488 - 26 Jun 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3967
Abstract
Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health disorders often associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune systems, particularly the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) system. Recent research highlights the potential of salivary biomarkers to serve as non-invasive indicators for psychological [...] Read more.
Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health disorders often associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune systems, particularly the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) system. Recent research highlights the potential of salivary biomarkers to serve as non-invasive indicators for psychological distress. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on key salivary biomarkers, cortisol, alpha-amylase (sAA), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), chromogranin A (CgA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and salivary microRNAs (miRNAs), in relation to anxiety, depression, and stress. A comprehensive literature search (2010–2025) was conducted using multiple databases and relevant MeSH terms. The review reveals consistent associations between these salivary analytes and stress-related disorders, reflecting changes in neuroendocrine activity, immune response, and neuroplasticity. Cortisol and sAA mirror acute stress reactivity, while cytokines and CRP indicate chronic inflammation. BDNF and miRNAs provide insight into neuroplastic dysfunction and gene regulation. Despite promising results, limitations such as variability in sampling methods and biomarker specificity remain. In conclusion, salivary biomarkers offer a promising avenue for early detection, monitoring, and personalization of treatment in mood and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: Cortisol and alpha-amylase serve as the principal markers of acute stress response, whereas cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, together with CRP, indicate chronic inflammation associated with extended emotional distress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology in Dentistry: Innovations in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Biomaterials)
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