Altered expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 is associated with periodontal disease- a case-control analysis

Periodontitis has a multifactorial pathogenesis involving genetic and epigenetic factors. Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader that enhances messenger RNA (mRNA) stability in an m6A-dependent manner. It is being considered as a potential target for treating inflammatory diseases . However, its role in periodontitis and its specific target genes affected by m6A modification are not yet well understood. This study aims to investigate the expression of IGF2BP2 and its potential involvement in periodontitis. Seventy participants were recruited, including 35 patients with periodontitis and 35 healthy controls. Clinical examination and radiography were performed to confirm a diagnosis of periodontitis. Gingival tissue samples were collected from each participant, and IGF2BP2 expression was measured using real-time PCR and western blotting . In addition, in silico tools were used to identify the IGF2BP2 network pathway and its functions. IGF2BP2 expression was significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the healthy control group ( p < 0.0001). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the IGF2BP2 pathway network plays a crucial role in periodontal pathogenesis. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-6 , were significantly increased in the periodontitis group ( p < 0.0001) and were positively correlated with IGF2BP2 expression and m6A methylation sites. Our study demonstrated that increased IGF2BP2 expression is associated with periodontitis, which may regulate proinflammatory cytokine production in an m6A-dependent manner. Further functional studies are required to understand the mechanism of action of IGF2BP2 in periodontitis.