Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents

Abstract This study aimed to identify functional microRNAs (miRNAs) and their respective targets as central regulatory factors of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of 24 adolescent patients (< 18 years) treated with a full-mouth multibracket appliance (M...

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Main Authors: Florian Rolfes, Johannes Heck, Isabelle Riedel, Christian Bär, Boris Schmitz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01794-6
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author Florian Rolfes
Johannes Heck
Isabelle Riedel
Christian Bär
Boris Schmitz
author_facet Florian Rolfes
Johannes Heck
Isabelle Riedel
Christian Bär
Boris Schmitz
author_sort Florian Rolfes
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study aimed to identify functional microRNAs (miRNAs) and their respective targets as central regulatory factors of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of 24 adolescent patients (< 18 years) treated with a full-mouth multibracket appliance (MBA; Thermal Copper Nickel Titanium archwire) was analyzed for miRNAs-21, -29b, -34a, -126, -132, -146a, and -221. GCF samples were taken from the second premolar in either jaw using non-invasive sampling before, 7 days, 5 weeks, and 3 months after application of orthodontic force (8 samples per patient). Validated miRNA targets and regulated pathways were identified using the miRTarBase database (release 9.0) and Reactome (version 87). All analyzed miRNAs were consistently detected in the GCF (Ct value < 35) and a moderate to high correlation was found between samples taken from the mandible and maxilla before treatment (r = 0.42 to 0.71, all p ≤ 0.041). All miRNAs showed changes in their expression levels with orthodontic tooth movement compared to baseline (significant time effect, all p < 0.001). The general profile indicated an increase in miRNA expression in both jaws with time except for miR-21, which showed reduced levels one week after MBA application (p = 0.046). For miR-34, a significant interaction effect was observed (time × jaw, p = 0.0396) in that lower levels were found after five weeks and three months of treatment in the mandible compared to the maxilla. The medium to late treatment phase was characterized by an increase in miR-146 and miR-221. Gene signaling pathway analysis suggested regulation of cellular response to stress including hypoxia, matrix reorganization and vascular remodeling. Since the identified miRNA profile was linked to targets involved in the remodeling process of the alveolar supporting apparatus and alveolar bone, GCF-derived miRNAs may represent diagnostic biomarkers to monitor cellular processes during orthodontic tooth movement and potentially optimize individual treatment outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-8e70d3e9f15047a9a15161bf7c0c8b672025-08-20T02:05:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-011511910.1038/s41598-025-01794-6Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescentsFlorian Rolfes0Johannes Heck1Isabelle Riedel2Christian Bär3Boris Schmitz4Dental Medical Center ALL DENTE, MVZHannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic StrategiesHannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic StrategiesHannover Medical School, Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic StrategiesDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Witten/HerdeckeAbstract This study aimed to identify functional microRNAs (miRNAs) and their respective targets as central regulatory factors of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of 24 adolescent patients (< 18 years) treated with a full-mouth multibracket appliance (MBA; Thermal Copper Nickel Titanium archwire) was analyzed for miRNAs-21, -29b, -34a, -126, -132, -146a, and -221. GCF samples were taken from the second premolar in either jaw using non-invasive sampling before, 7 days, 5 weeks, and 3 months after application of orthodontic force (8 samples per patient). Validated miRNA targets and regulated pathways were identified using the miRTarBase database (release 9.0) and Reactome (version 87). All analyzed miRNAs were consistently detected in the GCF (Ct value < 35) and a moderate to high correlation was found between samples taken from the mandible and maxilla before treatment (r = 0.42 to 0.71, all p ≤ 0.041). All miRNAs showed changes in their expression levels with orthodontic tooth movement compared to baseline (significant time effect, all p < 0.001). The general profile indicated an increase in miRNA expression in both jaws with time except for miR-21, which showed reduced levels one week after MBA application (p = 0.046). For miR-34, a significant interaction effect was observed (time × jaw, p = 0.0396) in that lower levels were found after five weeks and three months of treatment in the mandible compared to the maxilla. The medium to late treatment phase was characterized by an increase in miR-146 and miR-221. Gene signaling pathway analysis suggested regulation of cellular response to stress including hypoxia, matrix reorganization and vascular remodeling. Since the identified miRNA profile was linked to targets involved in the remodeling process of the alveolar supporting apparatus and alveolar bone, GCF-derived miRNAs may represent diagnostic biomarkers to monitor cellular processes during orthodontic tooth movement and potentially optimize individual treatment outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01794-6Multi-bracket applianceMolecular orthodonticsAlveolar bone remodelingGingival crevicular fluidMechanical loadingExtracellular matrix
spellingShingle Florian Rolfes
Johannes Heck
Isabelle Riedel
Christian Bär
Boris Schmitz
Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents
Scientific Reports
Multi-bracket appliance
Molecular orthodontics
Alveolar bone remodeling
Gingival crevicular fluid
Mechanical loading
Extracellular matrix
title Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents
title_full Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents
title_fullStr Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents
title_short Characterization of a periodontal-inflammatory microRNA profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents
title_sort characterization of a periodontal inflammatory microrna profile during multibracket orthodontic treatment in adolescents
topic Multi-bracket appliance
Molecular orthodontics
Alveolar bone remodeling
Gingival crevicular fluid
Mechanical loading
Extracellular matrix
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01794-6
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