LncRNA AWPPH overexpression predicts the recurrence of periodontitis

Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) AWPPH is a recently identified oncogenic lncRNA, while its role in other human diseases is still unknown. Blood samples from 80 periodontitis (periodontitis group) patients and 66 healthy controls (control group) who were admitted and treated by Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, expression levels of lncRNA AWPPH were detected by RT-PCR. In the present study, we showed that, before treatment, lncRNA AWPPH in plasma was up-regulated in periodontitis patients than in healthy controls. After treatment, expression levels of lncRNA AWPPH reduced significantly. Patients were followed up for 2 years to recorded recurrence. Compared with plasma levels of lncRNA AWPPH on the day of discharge, lncRNA AWPPH expression level increased significantly in patients with recurrence but not in patients without recurrence during follow-up. Based on Youden’s index, patients were divided into high and low lncRNA AWPPH groups according to its expression level on the day of discharge. It was observed that the recurrence rate of periodontitis is significantly higher in high lncRNA AWPPH group than in low lncRNA AWPPH group. LncRNA AWPPH overexpression predicts the recurrence of periodontitis.