Exploring miR-144-3p Expression and its Diagnostic Value in Peri-Implantitis.

PURPOSE: Micro-RNA (miRNA) is an emerging biomarker for periodontal disease. To determine its diagnostic value in peri-implantitis (PI) and its relationship with inflammatory factors, this study focused on miR-144-3p, potentially providing a much-needed new biomarker for PI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 98 healthy subjects and 114 PI patients were included in this study. Clinical parameters such as plaque index (PLI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth (PD), full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing/suppuration were recorded and compared. The quantification of miR-144-3p was performed using RT-qPCR. The ROC curve assessed the diagnostic value. The chi-squared test was utilized to analyze associations between the clinicopathological characteristics of PI and miR-144-3p level. Risk factors for PI were analyzed using logistic regression. HGFs were treated with LPS as the PI model. miR-144-3p was overexpressed or inhibited by transfection into the PI model. Then, cell viability and inflammatory factors were detected in the PI model. RESULTS: Compared to controls, PI patients had statistically significantly higher PLI, SBI, PD, FMPS, CAL, and a higher rate of bleeding on probing/suppuration. The miR-144-3p level was increased and had high diagnostic value in PI. The presence of miR-144-3p was a risk factor for PI. In addition, the miR-144-3p level was closely related to clinical indicators in PI. In the PI model, overexpression of miR-144-3p reduced proliferation and increased inflammatory factor levels, while inhibition of miR-144-3p increased proliferation and reduced inflammatory factor levels. CONCLUSION: miR-144-3p correlated with clinical parameters such as PLI, SBI, PD, FMPS, CAL, and bleeding on probing/suppuration and participated in PI by regulating cell viability and inflammatory factors, supporting its potential as a clinically relevant biomarker for PI.