MicroRNA sequence and function analysis in peri‐implantitis and periodontitis: An animal study

Objective To compare miRNA expression levels and predict relevant target genes and signaling pathways in peri‐implantitis and periodontitis. Background There are many differences between periodontitis and peri‐implantitis. An understanding of the similarities and differences in the transcriptional patterns of these diseases, as well as the molecular mechanisms, is beneficial for the development of management strategies. Materials and methods Rat models of periodontitis (PD, n = 6) and peri‐implantitis (PI, n = 5) were established by ligation. Implantation without ligation (PIC, n = 5) and normal rats (PDC, n = 6) were used as controls. Micro‐CT was used to confirm the successful establishment of the model. Gingiva was harvested for miRNA transcriptome sequencing, and the results were confirmed by qRT–PCR. miRNA target genes were predicted with miRTarBase. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Results Sixty‐nine miRNAs were differentially expressed in PI vs. PD, 105 were differentially expressed in PI vs. PIC, and 70 were differentially expressed in PD vs. PDC (log2FC ≥1 and padj