Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis
BackgroundDental caries is a prevalent global health issue, particularly among children, with significant oral and overall health implications. The oral microbiome is considered a critical factor in caries development, with various microbial species implicated in the disease process.ObjectivesThis s...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1522970/full |
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| author | Hui Zhang Hui Zhang Xiao Zheng Xiao Zheng Xiao Zheng Yongmao Huang Yongmao Huang Yuanqiang Zou Tao Zhang Maria Alice Repo Maria Alice Repo Meixiang Yin Yang You Zhuye Jie Wen-an Xu Wen-an Xu |
| author_facet | Hui Zhang Hui Zhang Xiao Zheng Xiao Zheng Xiao Zheng Yongmao Huang Yongmao Huang Yuanqiang Zou Tao Zhang Maria Alice Repo Maria Alice Repo Meixiang Yin Yang You Zhuye Jie Wen-an Xu Wen-an Xu |
| author_sort | Hui Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundDental caries is a prevalent global health issue, particularly among children, with significant oral and overall health implications. The oral microbiome is considered a critical factor in caries development, with various microbial species implicated in the disease process.ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the changes and interactions of oral microbiota in childhood caries using metagenomic analysis, and identify potential biomarkers for early caries detection and treatment.MethodsSaliva samples were collected from 241 children aged 6 to 9 years, categorized into caries-free (CF), low-caries (CL), and caries-severe (CS) groups. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to analyze the oral microbiome, followed by a series of statistical and functional analyses to characterize microbial diversity and function.ResultsThe study revealed significant differences in the microbial community composition among the groups, with the CS group exhibiting higher alpha and beta diversity than that of the CF group. Numerous unclassified microorganisms, such as Campylobacter SGB19347 and Catonella SGB4501, are intimately linked to dental caries and display intricate interaction networks, suggesting the potential formation of a distinct ecological network. In functional assessment, we identified a possible link between pectin and caries, suggesting that microorganisms that produce pectinase enzymes might play a role in the advancement of severe dental caries. Additionally, we identified 16 species as the best marker for severe dental caries, achieving an impressive AUC of 0.91.ConclusionThe role of microbiota in dental caries is multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of microbial species and functions. Our findings enhance the understanding of the microbial basis of dental caries and offer potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The predictive capacity of the identified biomarkers warrants further investigation for early caries detection and intervention.Clinical SignificanceThe identification of novel biomarkers through metagenomic analysis enables early detection and targeted intervention for childhood caries, potentially transforming children dental care and significantly improving long-term oral health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-90ddbefeb6e54dbdb87bfc7f212b4d90 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2235-2988 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-90ddbefeb6e54dbdb87bfc7f212b4d902025-08-20T03:21:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-06-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15229701522970Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysisHui Zhang0Hui Zhang1Xiao Zheng2Xiao Zheng3Xiao Zheng4Yongmao Huang5Yongmao Huang6Yuanqiang Zou7Tao Zhang8Maria Alice Repo9Maria Alice Repo10Meixiang Yin11Yang You12Zhuye Jie13Wen-an Xu14Wen-an Xu15Shenzhen Clinical College of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaGreater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), Fudan University, Guangzhou, ChinaShenzhen Clinical College of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaBeijing Genomics Institute (BGI) Research, Shenzhen, ChinaBGI Research, Wuhan, ChinaShenzhen Clinical College of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaBeijing Genomics Institute (BGI) Research, Shenzhen, ChinaShenzhen Clinical College of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaBackgroundDental caries is a prevalent global health issue, particularly among children, with significant oral and overall health implications. The oral microbiome is considered a critical factor in caries development, with various microbial species implicated in the disease process.ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the changes and interactions of oral microbiota in childhood caries using metagenomic analysis, and identify potential biomarkers for early caries detection and treatment.MethodsSaliva samples were collected from 241 children aged 6 to 9 years, categorized into caries-free (CF), low-caries (CL), and caries-severe (CS) groups. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to analyze the oral microbiome, followed by a series of statistical and functional analyses to characterize microbial diversity and function.ResultsThe study revealed significant differences in the microbial community composition among the groups, with the CS group exhibiting higher alpha and beta diversity than that of the CF group. Numerous unclassified microorganisms, such as Campylobacter SGB19347 and Catonella SGB4501, are intimately linked to dental caries and display intricate interaction networks, suggesting the potential formation of a distinct ecological network. In functional assessment, we identified a possible link between pectin and caries, suggesting that microorganisms that produce pectinase enzymes might play a role in the advancement of severe dental caries. Additionally, we identified 16 species as the best marker for severe dental caries, achieving an impressive AUC of 0.91.ConclusionThe role of microbiota in dental caries is multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of microbial species and functions. Our findings enhance the understanding of the microbial basis of dental caries and offer potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The predictive capacity of the identified biomarkers warrants further investigation for early caries detection and intervention.Clinical SignificanceThe identification of novel biomarkers through metagenomic analysis enables early detection and targeted intervention for childhood caries, potentially transforming children dental care and significantly improving long-term oral health outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1522970/fulldental cariesoral microbiomemetagenomic sequencingbiomarkerschildren |
| spellingShingle | Hui Zhang Hui Zhang Xiao Zheng Xiao Zheng Xiao Zheng Yongmao Huang Yongmao Huang Yuanqiang Zou Tao Zhang Maria Alice Repo Maria Alice Repo Meixiang Yin Yang You Zhuye Jie Wen-an Xu Wen-an Xu Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology dental caries oral microbiome metagenomic sequencing biomarkers children |
| title | Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis |
| title_full | Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis |
| title_fullStr | Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis |
| title_short | Novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis |
| title_sort | novel potential biomarkers for predicting childhood caries via metagenomic analysis |
| topic | dental caries oral microbiome metagenomic sequencing biomarkers children |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1522970/full |
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