Periodontitis is a multi-etiologic infection characterized clinically by pathologic loss of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Herpesviruses and specific bacterial species are major periodontal pathogens that cooperate synergistically in producing severe periodontitis. Cellular immunity against herpesviruses and humoral immunity against bacteria are key periodontal host defenses. Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors are modifiers of periodontal disease severity. MicroRNAs are a class of noncoding, gene expression-based, posttranscriptional regulatory RNAs of great importance for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Aberrant expression of microRNAs has been associated with several medical diseases. Periodontal tissue cells and herpesviruses elaborate several microRNAs that are of current research interest. This review attempts to conceptualize the role of periodontal microRNAs in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The diagnostic potential of salivary microRNAs is also addressed. Employment of microRNA technology in periodontics represents an interesting new preventive and therapeutic possibility.

中文翻译：

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牙周病中的人类和疱疹病毒 microRNA

牙周炎是一种多病因感染，临床上以牙周韧带和牙槽骨的病理性丧失为特征。疱疹病毒和特定细菌种类是主要的牙周病原体，它们协同合作产生严重的牙周炎。针对疱疹病毒的细胞免疫和针对细菌的体液免疫是关键的牙周宿主防御。遗传、表观遗传和环境因素是牙周病严重程度的调节因子。MicroRNA 是一类非编码、基于基因表达的转录后调控 RNA，对维持组织稳态具有重要意义。microRNA 的异常表达与多种医学疾病有关。牙周组织细胞和疱疹病毒阐述了当前研究感兴趣的几种 microRNA。本综述试图概念化牙周 microRNA 在牙周炎发病机制中的作用。还讨论了唾液 microRNA 的诊断潜力。在牙周病学中使用 microRNA 技术代表了一种有趣的新的预防和治疗可能性。