Fusobacterium nucleatum exacerbates atherosclerosis progression via ceRNA network-mediated epigenetic reprogramming

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), a key periodontal pathogen, is increasingly detected in atherosclerotic plaques, yet its epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in atherosclerosis remain enigmatic. This study investigates how F. nucleatum reshapes the non-coding RNA landscape to drive atherosclerosis progression. Periodontal infection with F. nucleatum significantly increased atherosclerotic lesion area (p < 0.001) and necrotic core ratio, while reducing collagen content (p < 0.05) in ApoE^-/- mice. Whole transcriptome sequencing of arterial tissues identified 847 differentially expressed mRNAs, 16 miRNAs, 19 circRNAs, and 76 lncRNAs linked to lipid metabolism and plaque instability. Focusing on atherosclerosis-associated signaling pathways, we constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in F. nucleatum-infected ApoE^-/- mice. Notably, we highlighted two key regulatory axes: (circRNA5047/lncRNA Ext1)-miR-18a-3p-Cflar-Autophagy and (circRNA5047/lncRNA Ext1)-miR-669f-3p-Itpr1-Autophagy. These findings provide novel insights into the role of F. nucleatum in atherosclerosis and establish a foundation for further investigation into its underlying mechanisms.