Expression of apoptosome-related genes in periodontitis

Recent studies have provided clues for participation of apoptosis related genes in the development of periodontitis. We examined expression of four apoptosome related genes namely CPSF7, AGO2, WDR33 and HUR1 in the blood and tissues of patients with stage III-IV periodontitis compared with control blood/tissue samples. Expression of AGO2 was significantly higher in the blood specimens of individual having periodontitis compared with healthy persons (ratio of mean expression = 6.9, P value = 4.79E−02). However, when categorizing individuals based on their gender, none of comparisons yielded significant results. Expression of AGO2 was not different between tissue samples of patients and controls. Expressions of other genes were not different between tissues/blood specimens of patients and controls. Significant pairwise correlations were detected between expression levels of CPSF7, AGO2, WDR33 and HUR1 genes in tissues. Similarly, blood levels of CPSF7, AGO2, WDR33 and HUR1 were correlated with each other. Yet, we could not find any correlation between blood and tissues levels of CPSF7, AGO2, WDR33 and HUR1 genes. HUR1 had the best diagnostic values in distinguishing affected tissues from unaffected ones (area under curve (AUC) = 0.71). Besides, AGO2 had the best AUC value for differentiating periodontitis based on blood samples. Combination of expression levels of CPSF7, AGO2, WDR33 and HUR1 genes enhanced the diagnostic power to 0.72 and 0.67 in tissue and blood samples, respectively. The present study shows different levels of apoptosome-associated genes in the blood and gingival tissues and offers AGO2 as a possible contributor in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. •HUR1 had the best diagnostic value in distinguishing affected tissues from unaffected ones.•AGO2 had the best AUC value for differentiating periodontitis based on blood samples.•Combination of expression levels of all genes enhanced the diagnostic power.