OIP5-AS1/miR-223-3p provides potential biomarkers for chronic periodontitis and its regulatory role in inflammatory responses

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a common chronic oral infectious disease. This study evaluated the clinical significance of differentially expressed OIP5-AS1 and miR-223-3p in CP patients and investigated the biological function of the OIP5-AS1/miR-223-3p axis in a cell model induced by LPS. One hundred and eighteen CP patients were enrolled to provide clinical samples and data. OIP5-AS1 and miR-223-3p expression were detected by reverse transcription quantitative PCR, and their clinical application in diagnose CP was evaluated by receiver operative curve (ROC) analysis. Bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed the interaction between OIP5-AS1 and miR-223-3p. Human periodontal ligament cells (HPLCs) were treated with LPS to establish disease cell model, and the effects of OIP5-AS1/miR-223-3p on cell viability and inflammation were examined using CCK-8 and ELISA. In CP patients, OIP5-AS1 expression was lower and miR-223-3p expression was higher than in the control group (both P < 0.001). Serum OIP5-AS1 and miR-223-3p showed considerable ability to diagnose CP from healthy controls (AUC = 0.816, sensitivity = 70.34%, specificity = 81.97% for OIP5-AS1; AUC = 0.837, sensitivity = 80.51%, specificity = 72.13% for miR-223-3p). Cell experiments showed OIP5-AS1 improved LPS-induced impaired cell proliferation by sponging miR-223-3p. Additionally, OIP5-AS1 targets miR-223-3p and inhibits the inflammatory response induced by LPS, while promoting osteogenic differentiation of HPDLCs. Serum upregulated OIP5-AS1 and downregulated miR-223-3p serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for CP, and OIP5-AS1 might be involved in CP progression by sponging miR-223-3p.