This study aimed to investigate the role of a novel m6A and cell cycle regulator YWHAG in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by analyzing its expression and functional implications.
Tumor samples (n = 51) and adjacent non-tumor samples (n = 38) were collected from patients with OSCC, and cell lines were processed. YWHAG mRNA expression was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. Various tools, such as UALCAN, Protein-Atlas analysis, TIMER 2.0, and other in silico tools, were used to explore clinicopathological correlations, protein expression, immune cell infiltration, and functional associations of YWHAG.
YWHAG mRNA and protein expression were significantly upregulated in OSCC tumor tissues and OSCC cell lines compared to non-tumor tissues and normal cells (p < 0.001). High YWHAG expression significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage, higher grade, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Functional analysis revealed that YWHAG is associated with pathways involved in aggressive cancer progression. YWHAG expression positively correlated with its target gene CTTN expression, which was also upregulated in OSCC and associated with poor prognosis (p < 0.05).
Study findings indicate that YWHAG may contribute to the progression of OSCC and could be a potential therapeutic target or prognostic biomarker. Further investigation is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms and assess the clinical implications of YWHAG dysregulation in OSCC.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of cathepsin K (catK) on proteoglycans (PGs) and the subsequent impacts on dentin collagen degradation.
Demineralized dentin samples were prepared and divided into the following groups: deionized water (DW), 0.1 U/mL chondroitinase ABC (C-ABC), and 1 μM odanacatib (ODN). Then, they were immersed for 48 h and then incubated in 1 mL of PBS (pH=5.5) at 37 °C for 5 d. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were examined to explore the degradation of PGs by catK. To determine the effect of catK-mediated PGs on dentin collagen degradation, hydroxyproline (HYP) assays, assessment of the degree of dentin crosslinking, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s tests or Welch's ANOVA followed by Dunnett's tests at a significance level of 0.05.
The production of GAG was significantly lower in the ODN group than in the DW group (P < 0.05), revealing that PG degradation was reduced in dentin after ODN treatment. Additionally, ODN treatment minimized the gaps in collagen fibers, improved fiber arrangement, and significantly increased the degree of collagen crosslinking, subsequently reducing the total amount of collagen fiber degradation in the dentin (P < 0.05).
CatK-mediated degradation of PGs negatively impacted the stability of collagen fibers, promoted gaps, led to a less organized arrangement of dentin collagen fibers, ultimately increasing collagen degradation.
To evaluate the possible effects of apical periodontitis (AP) on cardiac function, structure, and oxidative stress (OS) in rats with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM).
Forty-eight (Wistar albino, male) rats were randomized into four groups: control healthy (CTRL), normoglycemic with AP (AP), T2DM, and T2DM with AP (T2DM+AP). T2DM was induced by streptozotocin and a high-fat diet. AP was induced by pulp exposure to the oral environment for 4 weeks and analyzed radiographically. In the blood samples insulin and glucose were established. In vivo, cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Ex vivo cardiac function was assessed by the Langendorff technique. Heart tissue was analyzed pathophysiologically. OS was determined in cardiac tissue homogenate and coronary venous effluent, spectrophotometrically.
Impaired glycoregulation was observed in the T2DM+AP group compared to the T2DM, AP, and CTRL groups. The T2DM+AP group was associated with disturbed echocardiography and cardiodynamic parameters. The levels of superoxide anion radical, nitrite, and index of lipid peroxidation were significantly increased, while the superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly decreased in the T2DM+AP group compared to T2DM, AP, and CTRL groups. The radiographic AP area was significantly larger in the T2DM+AP compared to the AP group.
AP was associated with increased glucose levels, impaired cardiac function, structure, and OS in diabetic rats. Diabetes was related to an increased radiographic AP area. The study may be a starting point for further research to clarify the effects of AP on cardiac function in various models of systemic diseases.
proximal enamel caries lesions (PEC) are believed to initiate and progress to cavitation below the proximal contact area (PCA), but no evidence exists on the location of initial carious cavitation on the proximal surface with functional PCA. This study aimed to test the association of anatomical areas of the proximal surface with the severity of PEC and the frequency of cavitation in PEC in primary molars
laboratory, observational, transversal study. Exfoliated primary molars (n = 33) with functional PCA (biofilm-free PCA surrounded by biofilm) had their proximal surfaces (one/tooth) divided anatomically into up to nine areas: 3 areas based on the occlusal/cervical PCA boundaries (areas I, II, and III; occluso-cervically) and 3 areas based on the bucco/lingual PCA boundaries (A, B, and C), with area IIB representing the PCA and area IIIB as the sub-PCA (below the PCA). PEC (ICDAS scores 1 and 2–3) and cavitation in PEC were quantified in all areas using stereomicroscopy and microCT. PEC volume was quantified in areas IIB and IIIB under microCT
PEC severity increased occluso-cervically. PCA and sub-PCA presented different PEC severities (higher in sub-PCA) and similar PCE volumes, but the odds of carious cavitation were much higher (Odds ratio = 197.4; 95 % CI: 8.7/4480.7) in the PCA than in the sub-PCA (no cavitation).
PCA presented lower PEC severity and similar PEC volume compared to sub-PCA, but PCA concentrated all cavitations in PEC, supporting a new model for the pathogenesis of PEC.
Sox2 plays crucial roles in tissues homeostasis and regeneration. However, there are lack of a comprehensive examination of Sox2 expression and its functional role in submandibular gland regeneration. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the impact of Sox2 on submandibular gland regeneration.
A Sprague-Dawley rat submandibular gland duct ligation/de-ligation regeneration model was conducted in this study. Sox2-shRNA vectors were retro-ductally administered into the submandibular gland to establish a stable Sox2 knockdown model. Conventional histopathological and molecular biological methods were used to investigate phenotypic changes.
The submandibular gland normalized completely 28 days after ligature removal (following 7 days of duct ligation). AQP5 expression gradually increased after ligation removal until returning to normal levels. In submandibular gland regeneration, Sox2 re-expressed and co-expressed with AQP5+ acinar cells, and Sox2 expression peaked on day 14, recovered to normal on day 28, reproducing the developmental pattern. Sox2 knockdown hindered gland regeneration and induced irreversible fibrosis. The AQP5 expression was significantly lower than the contemporaneous solely ligated group, while the blue collagen deposition and the Vimentin expression increased prominently. The expression of CD68, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17A increased significantly, and epithelial cells in the Sox2 knockdown group expressed higher levels of IL-17A.
These findings highlight Sox2 as a crucial regulator of the acinar cell lineage. Sox2+ progenitor cells are pivotal for acinar cell maintenance, which is indispensable for submandibular gland regeneration. Collectively, our findings may help develop targeted interventions for enhancing tissue repair and preventing irreversible fibrosis in salivary gland disorders.
To compare the oral microbiota among caries-free (CF) with caries-affected (CA) individuals, both at taxonomic and at functional levels.
This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A structured search was carried out in MEDLINE/PUBMED, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus and Google Scholar databases up to September, 2023. Observational studies, without any restriction on date of publication and using next-generation targeted or untargeted sequencing methods for identification of microbial communities were included. Qualitative synthesis was performed from all included studies.
54 studies were included (43 cross-sectional; 11 cohort) comprising more than 3486 participants (at least 1666 CF and 1820 CA) whose saliva and/or dental plaque were used as clinical samples. Methodological quality was graded as “fair” for most of the studies. The abundance of 87 bacterial and 44 fungal genera were statistically different among CF and CA individuals. Atopobium spp., Capnocytophaga spp., Lactobacillus spp., Prevotella spp., Scardovia spp., Selenomonas spp. among others were frequently reported as being more abundant in CA individuals. Several functional patterns, such as lipids, carbohydrate, starch, sucrose, amino sugar metabolisms, among others, were identified as being specifically related to CF or to CA conditions.
In spite of the variability among the included studies and of the predominance of qualitative synthesis, groups of microorganisms as well as specific functional profiles coded by the assessed microbiota are differently abundant among caries-affected and caries-free individuals. These results need to be interpreted with caution considering the limitations inherent to each assessed primary study.
Periodontal regeneration poses challenges due to the periodontium's complexity, relying on mesenchymal cells from the periodontal ligament (hPDLSCs) to regenerate hard tissues like bone and cementum. While some hPDLSCs have high regeneration potential (HOP-hPDLSCs), most are low potential (LOP-hPDLSCs). This study analyzed hPDLSCs from a single donor to minimize inter-individual variability and focus on key differences in differentiation potentials.
This study used RNA-seq, genomic databases, and bioinformatics tools to explore signaling pathways (SPs), biological processes (BPs), and molecular functions (MFs) guiding HOP cells to mineralized matrix production. It also investigated limitations of LOP cells and strategies for enhancing their osteo/cementogenesis.
In basal conditions, HOP exhibited a multifunctional gene network with higher expression of genes related to osteo/cementogenesis, cell differentiation, immune modulation, stress response, and hormonal regulation. In contrast, LOP focused on steroid hormone biosynthesis and nucleic acid maintenance. During osteo/cementogenic induction, HOP showed strong modulation of genes related to angiogenesis, cell division, mesenchymal differentiation, and extracellular matrix production. LOP demonstrated neural synaptic-related processes and preserved cellular cytoskeleton integrity. CCKR map signaling and G-protein receptor bindings gained significance during osteo/cementogenesis in HOP-hPDLSCs. Both HOP and LOP shared common BPs related to gastrointestinal and reproductive system development.
The osteo/cementogenic differentiation of HOP cells may be regulated by CCKR signaling, G-protein bindings, and specific hormonal regulation. LOP cells seem committed to neural mechanisms. This study sheds light on hPDLSCs' complex characteristics, offering a deeper understanding of their differentiation potential for future periodontal regeneration research and therapies.
The aim of this study was to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of proline/arginine-rich end leucine-rich repeat protein (PRELP), a secreted protein in extracellular matrix, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression.
PRELP expression in OSCC was analyzed in the Gene Set Enrichment (GSE) 138206, GSE37991, and GSE23558 datasets as well as cell lines. Also, PRELP expression and its relationship with prognosis and immune infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were confirmed by bioinformatics analysis. The proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and NF-κB activation were detected after alteration of PRELP expression in OSCC cells using CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry, Transwell, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot. Additionally, an NF-κB inhibitor PDTC was used to confirm the regulation mechanism of PRELP.
The expression of PRELP in OSCC tissues, cells and in HNSCC samples was low. HNSCC patients with higher PRELP expression was associated with longer overall survival. A positive correlation between PRELP expression and immune cell infiltration was found in HNSCC. Upregulation of PRELP inhibited, whereas PRELP silencing promoted, the proliferation, invasion and EMT of OSCC cells. Also, overexpression of PRELP promoted cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, PRELP suppressed p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. And PDTC treatment partially reversed the influences of PRELP knockdown on the malignant behaviors in OSCC cells.
PRELP suppressed OSCC progression via inactivation of the NF-κB pathway. Targeting PRELP may be a potential approach for OSCC treatment.