Novel single-cell atlas could help illuminate periodontitis

Researchers have found that immunosuppression of skin cells in the mouth may contribute to the onset of periodontitis, according to findings published in Nature Communications.

In the study, the researchers analyzed samples from previous single-cell RNA sequencing efforts to develop an integrated single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of the human periodontium. The atlas incorporated 17 new gingival keratinocyte subpopulations at the single-cell level in the gingival epithelium. Further, the researchers used multiplex imaging to map the heterogeneity of murine gingival keratinocyte subpopulations into spatial context.

They revealed that tooth-facing sulcular keratinocytes and tooth-interfacing junctional keratinocytes exhibited higher activation of cytokines in patients with periodontitis and that the presentation of these cells may influence the body’s immune response. The researchers hope their atlas can lead to new treatment options in patients with periodontitis.

Read more: Nature Communications

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