The role of NLRP3, AIM2, and IFI16 gene polymorphisms in periodontitis susceptibility: a case control study

Polymorphisms in inflammasome genes can modulate the host immune response and influence individual susceptibility to periodontitis. The present study was designed to investigate the association between polymorphisms in NLRP3, AIM2, and IFI16 genes and periodontitis. This case control study was conducted among a total of 240 participants, consisting of 80 periodontally healthy (Group H), 80 with stage III grade B periodontitis (Group PB), and 80 with stage III grade C periodontitis (Group PC). All periodontal clinical parameters and demographic data were recorded. DNA samples were obtained from peripheral blood. The NLRP3 rs4612666, AIM2 rs2793845, and IFI16 rs75985579 polymorphisms were genotyped using allele-specific probes through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests (p < 0.05) were used to compare genotype and allele frequencies between the groups. The association between the polymorphisms and advanced attachment loss in different genetic models was evaluated with logistic regression analysis. The analysis revealed no significant differences in the genotypic and allelic distributions of NLRP3 rs4612666, AIM2 rs2793845, and IFI16 rs75985579 polymorphisms among the groups (p > 0.05). Individuals with advanced attachment loss exhibited higher frequencies of CT and TT genotypes and T allele of the NLRP3 rs4612666 polymorphism (p < 0.05). Also the NLRP3 rs4612666 polymorphism was associated with the advanced attachment loss in recessive and additive models; while TT genotype showed a significant association under the codominant model (p < 0.05). No association was observed between NLRP3 rs4612666, AIM2 rs2793845, and IFI16 rs75985579 polymorphisms and susceptibility to periodontitis in this population and under this study design. However, the T allele of NLRP3 rs4612666 polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk of advanced attachment loss. This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (Trial registration number: NCT06465095; Protocol ID: 09-2023-1700; Date of registration: 2024-06-18).