Clinical Trial: Epigenetics, DNA Methylation Patterns and Periodontal Disease

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Host DNA Methylation Patterns in Association With Periodontal Disease : MiRNA Changes in Obesity

Brief Summary: The overall goal of this research is (1) to identify changes in gene expression and DNA methylation status in subjects who exhibit advanced chronic periodontal inflammation and (2) to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) and the interactive pathways associated with obesity as a modifier of periodontal infection pathogenesis.

Detailed Summary:

Aim 1. To determine whether diseased periodontal tissues biopsied from patients with periodontal disease will have altered DNA methylation patterns of selected genes as compared to the DNA methylation status biopsies obtained from adjacent, non-diseased periodontal sites, as well as periodontal biopsy samples obtained from non-diseased, healthy subjects.

Aim 2. To determine the role of tissue DNA Methylation on mRNA expression:

  • 2a. To determine whether alterations in tissue mRNA expression (as determined by quantitative PCR) are associated with an aberrant DNA methylation status of respective gene promoter CpG islands in tissue biopsy samples obtained from diseased and non-diseased tissues from patients with periodontal disease and from non-diseased healthy subjects.
  • 2b. By performing laser capture microdissection of biopsy samples from diseased patients [(epithelium, connective tissue and inflammatory infiltrate)] we seek to determine cellular patterns of mRNA expression and DNA methylation of targeted genes comparing inflamed to non-inflamed sites within diseased patients.
  • 2c. We will perform in vitro studies to analyze whether gingival fibroblasts from patients with periodontal disease will show a differential methylation pattern and whether these cells will display a differential inflammatory response when compared to control fibroblasts isolated from healthy subjects.

Aim 3. The aim of this pilot investigation was to determine if miRNA expression differed in the presence or absence of obesity, comparing gingival biopsies obtained from patients with or without periodontal disease.

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    Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

    Current Primary Outcome: DNA methylation patterns of selected candidate genes [ Time Frame: Visit 1 ]

    Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

    Current Secondary Outcome: Identification of miRNA species [ Time Frame: Visit 1 ]

    Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

    Information By: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

    Dates:
    Date Received: July 12, 2011
    Date Started: October 2007
    Date Completion:
    Last Updated: July 20, 2011
    Last Verified: July 2011