WNT gene polymorphisms and predisposition to apical periodontitis

Author(s)

de Souza, Leticia Chaves ^{[1, 2]} ; Cavalla, Franco ^{[1, 3, 4]} ; Maili, Lorena ^{[5, 6]} ; Garlet, Gustavo P. ^[4] ; Vieira, Alexandre R. ^[7] ; Silva, Renato M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Letra, Ariadne ^{[1, 6, 8]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Ctr Craniofacial Res, Sch Dent, Houston, TX 77054 - USA

^[2] Univ Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Dept Endodont, Sch Dent, Houston, TX 77054 - USA

^[3] Univ Chile, Sch Dent, Dept Conservat Dent, Santiago 7520355 - Chile

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Bauru Sch Dent, Dept Biol Sci, BR-17012 Bauru, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Dept Pediat, McGovern Med Sch, Houston, TX 77030 - USA

^[6] Univ Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Pediat Res Ctr, McGovern Med Sch, Houston, TX 77030 - USA

^[7] Univ Pittsburgh, Dept Oral Biol, Pittsburgh, PA 15229 - USA

^[8] Univ Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Dept Diagnost & Biomed Sci, Sch Dent, Houston, TX 77054 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 9, DEC 12 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in WNT genes may impact gene/protein function and contribute to individual predisposition to apical periodontitis (AP). Here, we investigated the association of SNPs in/nearby WNT3, WNT3A, WNT5A, WNT8A, WNT98 and WNT11 genes with AP using a case-control dataset. Cases were defined as individuals with deep caries and AP (n = 188); controls had deep caries and no AP (n = 230). Genotyping was performed using Taqman chemistry in real time PCR. Data analyses was performed using Fisher Exact tests assuming a Bonferroni correction threshold value of 0.005. Single-SNP association analysis revealed a trend for association with WNT3 rs9890413 genotypes (P = 0.009) under a dominant model and allelic association for WNT3A rs1745420 (P = 0.009). Haplotypes involving WNT3-WNT98-WNT3A alleles were also significantly associated with AP (P <= 0.003). Luciferase reporter assays showed higher transcriptional activity (1.4-fold) with the alternate G allele in rs1745420. Expression of WNT3, WNT3A and WNT5A in AP tissues was significantly higher than in control tissues, and inversely correlated with the expression of SERPIN81, COL1A1 and TIMP1 (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that WNT genes have a role in modulating AP and polymorphisms in these genes may increase susceptibility to AP. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/03276-0 - Influence of genetic polymorphisms in the colonization/recolonization patterns in chronic periodontitis patients
• Grantee: Ian Franco Cavalla Ruiz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/24637-3 - MSCs and m2 as determinants of the constructive or destructive nature of inflammatory microenvironments associated with bone tissue
• Grantee: Gustavo Pompermaier Garlet
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants