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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 11831

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Dr. Raluca Cosgarea

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Guest Editor

Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Interests: molecular methods; molecular mechanisms; oral diseases; bioengineering; tissue engineering; regenerative dentistry; oral microbiome; tissue regeneration

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral diseases, oral pathological conditions and disorders may affect essential human functions with a tremendous impact on oral-health-related quality of life. Several oral diseases as well as traumatic occurrences in the orofacial region cause tissue loss, leading to serious physiological and psychological consequences. Over the past 100 years, considerable progress has been made in diagnosis and regenerative approaches for the treatment of various oral conditions. Moreover, cellular and molecular research in dentistry has provided insight into several pathophysiological mechanisms of some oral pathologies (e.g., periodontitis, external root resorption) or systemic/autoimmune diseases with oral implications (e.g., oral lichen planus). The molecular diversity of the oral microbiome seems to have a tremendous impact on the inflammatory immune reaction, being responsible for a considerable amount of tissue damage in the oral cavity. Despite novel treatment approaches based on bioengineering and regenerative concepts, treatment of some oral affections may still represent a challenge, and innovative treatment strategies are required.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences focusses on publishing fundamental molecular studies in oral diseases. The aim is to present research outcomes on cellular and molecular pathways of various oral pathologies as well as novel molecular diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in this field.

Dr. Raluca Cosgarea
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

molecular methods
molecular mechanisms
oral diseases
bioengineering
tissue engineering
regenerative dentistry
oral microbiome
tissue regeneration

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potentiality and Inflammatory Marker Expression Are Maintained in Dental Pulp Cell Cultures from Carious Teeth

by Shelly Arora, Paul R. Cooper, Lara T. Friedlander, Benedict Seo, Shakila B. Rizwan, Alison M. Rich and Haizal Mohd Hussaini

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(16), 9425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169425 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1781

Abstract

Objectives: This investigation aimed to isolate and culture human dental pulp cells from carious teeth (cHDPCs) and compare their growth characteristics, colony-forming efficiency, mineralization potential and gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR)-2, TLR-4, TLR-9, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, 1L-17R, IL-23A, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK1), dentin matrix protein (DMP)-1, dentin sialophospho protein (DSPP), sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) and marker of proliferation Ki-67 (MKi67) with cells isolated from healthy or non-carious teeth (ncHDPCs). Methods: Pulp tissues were obtained from both healthy and carious teeth (n = 5, each) to generate primary cell lines using the explant culture technique. Cell cultures studies were undertaken by generating growth curves, a colony forming unit and a mineralization assay analysis. The expression of vimentin was assessed using immunocytochemistry (ICC), and the gene expression of above-mentioned genes was determined using quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: ncHDPCs and cHDPCs were successfully isolated and cultured from healthy and inflamed human dental pulp tissue. At passage 4, both HDPC types demonstrated a typical spindle morphology with positive vimentin expression. No statistical difference was observed between ncHDPCs and cHDPCs in their growth characteristics or ability to differentiate into a mineralizing phenotype. ncHDPCs showed a statistically significant higher colony forming efficiency than cHDPCs. The gene expression levels of TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-9, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17R, IL-23A, NF-κB, MAPK1, DMP1, DSPP and SOX2 were significantly higher in cHDPCs compared with ncHDPC cultures. Conclusion: cHDPCs retain their differentiation potential and inflammatory phenotype in vitro. The inflamed tooth pulp contains viable stem/progenitor cell populations which have the potential for expansion, proliferation and differentiation into a mineralizing lineage, similar to cells obtained from healthy pulp tissue. These findings have positive implications for regenerative endodontic procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Oral Diseases)

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15 pages, 3505 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porphyromonas gingivalis W83 Membrane Components Induce Distinct Profiles of Metabolic Genes in Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells

by Sabine Groeger, Jens Martin Herrmann, Trinad Chakraborty, Eugen Domann, Sabine Ruf and Joerg Meyle

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3442; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073442 - 22 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1853

Abstract

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease is caused by a bacterial biofilm, affecting all periodontal tissues and structures. This chronic disease seems to be associated with cancer since, in general, inflammation intensifies the risk for carcinoma development and progression. Interactions between periodontal pathogens and the host immune response induce the onset of periodontitis and are responsible for its progression, among them Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a Gram-negative anaerobic rod, capable of expressing a variety of virulence factors that is considered a keystone pathogen in periodontal biofilms. The aim of this study was to investigate the genome-wide impact of P. gingivalis W83 membranes on RNA expression of oral squamous carcinoma cells by transcriptome analysis. Human squamous cell carcinoma cells (SCC-25) were infected for 4 and 24 h with extracts from P. gingivalis W83 membrane, harvested, and RNA was extracted. RNA sequencing was performed, and differential gene expression and enrichment were analyzed using GO, KEGG, and REACTOME. The results of transcriptome analysis were validated using quantitative real-time PCR with selected genes. Differential gene expression analysis resulted in the upregulation of 15 genes and downregulation of 1 gene after 4 h. After 24 h, 61 genes were upregulated and 278 downregulated. GO, KEGG, and REACTONE enrichment analysis revealed a strong metabolic transcriptomic response signature, demonstrating altered gene expressions after 4 h and 24 h that mainly belong to cell metabolic pathways and replication. Real-time PCR of selected genes belonging to immune response, signaling, and metabolism revealed upregulated expression of CCL20, CXCL8, NFkBIA, TNFAIP3, TRAF5, CYP1A1, and NOD2. This work sheds light on the RNA transcriptome of human oral squamous carcinoma cells following stimulation with P. gingivalis membranes and identifies a strong metabolic gene expression response to this periodontal pathogen. The data provide a base for future studies of molecular and cellular interactions between P. gingivalis and oral epithelium to elucidate the basic mechanisms of periodontitis and the development of cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Oral Diseases)

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16 pages, 4555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Bacterial Infection on Ghrelin Receptor Regulation in Periodontal Cells and Tissues

by Andressa V. B. Nogueira, Marjan Nokhbehsaim, Anna Damanaki, Sigrun Eick, Svenja Beisel-Memmert, Christian Kirschneck, Agnes Schröder, Thamiris Cirelli, Natalia D. P. Leguizamón, Joni A. Cirelli and James Deschner

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3039; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063039 - 11 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1618

Abstract

The effect of bacterial infection on the expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) was investigated in periodontal cells and tissues, and the actions of ghrelin were evaluated. GHS-R was assessed in periodontal tissues of rats with and without periodontitis. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were exposed to Fusobacterium nucleatum in the presence and absence of ghrelin. GHS-R expression was determined by real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, wound healing, cell viability, proliferation, and migration were evaluated. GHS-R expression was significantly higher at periodontitis sites as compared to healthy sites in rat tissues. F. nucleatum significantly increased the GHS-R expression and protein level in HGFs. Moreover, ghrelin significantly abrogated the stimulatory effects of F. nucleatum on CCL2 and IL-6 expressions in HGFs and did not affect cell viability and proliferation significantly. Ghrelin stimulated while F. nucleatum decreased wound closure, probably due to reduced cell migration. Our results show original evidence that bacterial infection upregulates GHS-R in rat periodontal tissues and HGFs. Moreover, our study shows that ghrelin inhibited the proinflammatory actions of F. nucleatum on HGFs without interfering with cell viability and proliferation, suggesting that ghrelin and its receptor may act as a protective molecule during bacterial infection on periodontal cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Oral Diseases)

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Review

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19 pages, 2555 KiB

Open AccessReview

Armed to the Teeth—The Oral Mucosa Immunity System and Microbiota

by Maja Ptasiewicz, Ewelina Grywalska, Paulina Mertowska, Izabela Korona-Głowniak, Agata Poniewierska-Baran, Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej and Renata Chałas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020882 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5263

Abstract

The oral cavity is inhabited by a wide spectrum of microbial species, and their colonization is mostly based on commensalism. These microbes are part of the normal oral flora, but there are also opportunistic species that can cause oral and systemic diseases. Although there is a strong exposure to various microorganisms, the oral mucosa reduces the colonization of microorganisms with high rotation and secretion of various types of cytokines and antimicrobial proteins such as defensins. In some circumstances, the imbalance between normal oral flora and pathogenic flora may lead to a change in the ratio of commensalism to parasitism. Healthy oral mucosa has many important functions. Thanks to its integrity, it is impermeable to most microorganisms and constitutes a mechanical barrier against their penetration into tissues. Our study aims to present the role and composition of the oral cavity microbiota as well as defense mechanisms within the oral mucosa which allow for maintaining a balance between such numerous species of microorganisms. We highlight the specific aspects of the oral mucosa protecting barrier and discuss up-to-date information on the immune cell system that ensures microbiota balance. This study presents the latest data on specific tissue stimuli in the regulation of the immune system with particular emphasis on the resistance of the gingival barrier. Despite advances in understanding the mechanisms regulating the balance on the microorganism/host axis, more research is still needed on how the combination of these diverse signals is involved in the regulation of immunity at the oral mucosa barrier. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Oral Diseases)

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