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Periodontitis is characterized by increased levels of proinflammatory factors, such as interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-35. In this study, the expression of microRNA-146a (miRNA-146a), IL-17, and IL-35 in the plasma of patients with periodontitis and healthy controls were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. miRNA-146a J Cell Biochem. 2019;120:13861-13866.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jcb

Cigarette smoking is a lifestyle-related risk factor involved in the causation and progression of periodontal disease. Nicotine is a key toxic component of tobacco. However, the mechanisms underlying nicotine-induced periodontitis have not yet been fully elucidated. The present study investigated the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile of human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) treated with nicotine. Using differential analysis of miRNA array data, several differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in nicotine-treated PDLCs. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to verify the accuracy of the miRNA array, and the targets of these dysregulated miRNAs were further analyzed. Function and pathway enrichment of differentially expressed miRNAs suggested that several important signaling pathways, such as the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, nicotine addiction, the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway, and the hypoxia inducible factor-1 signaling pathway, are potentially responsible for nicotine-induced periodontitis. This study has helped to clarify the epigenetic mechanisms of nicotine-induced periodontitis, highlighting novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Diabetes mellitus often results in several complications, such as diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and end-stage renal diseases (ESRDs). Cancer patients often have the dysregulated glucose metabolism. Abnormal glucose metabolism can enhance the tumor malignant progression. Recently, lncRNAs have been reported to regulate the key proteins and signaling pathways in DKD development and progression and in cancer patients with diabetes. In this review article, we elaborate the evidence to support the function of lncRNAs in development of DKD and diabetes-associated cancer. Moreover, we envisage that lncRNAs could be diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers for DKD and cancer patients with diabetes. Furthermore, we delineated that targeting lncRNAs might be an alternative approach for treating DKD and cancer with dysregulated glucose metabolism.