Changes of RNA expression in aging periodontal ligament cells.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea.
- 2Department of Dentistry, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- 3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, College of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- 4Department of Dental Pharmacology, College of Dentistry Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea.
- 5Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, College of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Background/purpose
Aging is a major risk factor for periodontal disease and is associated with impaired tissue homeostasis and regenerative capacity. The periodontal ligament (PDL) plays a central role in periodontal integrity; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying PDL cell aging remain incompletely understood.Materials and methods
In this study, we established an in vitro passage-dependent cellular aging model using human periodontal ligament fibroblasts serially passaged from early to late stages. Transcriptomic changes associated with aging were analyzed using RNA sequencing, followed by principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction network analyses.Results
Global transcriptomic profiling revealed that PDL cell aging follows a non-linear and heterogeneous trajectory rather than a uniform progressive decline. Notably, passage 13 emerged as a distinct transitional stage. Genes with decreasing expression during aging were strongly enriched in biosynthetic and proliferative pathways, including DNA metabolism, rRNA processing, and cell cycle regulation. In contrast, genes with increasing expression showed limited functional convergence and were mainly associated with signaling, immune and cytokine responses, extracellular matrix remodeling, and stress adaptation. Post hoc analysis identified two passage-13-associated gene-expression patterns: 13deep, characterized by residual biosynthetic and proliferative programs, and 13peak, marked by enhanced regulatory, immune, and microenvironment-responsive signaling.Conclusion
This study suggests that the passage 13 may represent a putative transition between biosynthetic decline and regulatory adaptation. Our findings provide a molecular framework for understanding age-related periodontal tissue degeneration and may inform future strategies for early intervention, prevention, and regeneration in periodontal disease associated with aging.
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BibTeX
@article{kim2026changes,
title = {{Changes of RNA expression in aging periodontal ligament cells.}},
author = {Su Kang Kim and Ju Ri Ye and Gyutae Kim and Ju Yeon Ban and Sang Wook Kang},
journal = {Journal of dental sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.jds.2025.07.3444},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924221},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Changes of RNA expression in aging periodontal ligament cells.
AU - Su Kang Kim
AU - Ju Ri Ye
AU - Gyutae Kim
AU - Ju Yeon Ban
AU - Sang Wook Kang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of dental sciences
DO - 10.1016/j.jds.2025.07.3444
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924221
AB - Background/purpose Aging is a major risk factor for periodontal disease and is associated with impaired tissue homeostasis and regenerative capacity. The periodontal ligament (PDL) plays a central role in periodontal integrity; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying PDL cell aging remain incompletely understood.Materials and methods In this study, we established an in vitro passage-dependent cellular aging model using human periodontal ligament fibroblasts serially passaged from early to late stages. Transcriptomic changes associated with aging were analyzed using RNA sequencing, followed by principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction network analyses.Results Global transcriptomic profiling revealed that PDL cell aging follows a non-linear and heterogeneous trajectory rather than a uniform progressive decline. Notably, passage 13 emerged as a distinct transitional stage. Genes with decreasing expression during aging were strongly enriched in biosynthetic and proliferative pathways, including DNA metabolism, rRNA processing, and cell cycle regulation. In contrast, genes with increasing expression showed limited functional convergence and were mainly associated with signaling, immune and cytokine responses, extracellular matrix remodeling, and stress adaptation. Post hoc analysis identified two passage-13-associated gene-expression patterns: 13deep, characterized by residual biosynthetic and proliferative programs, and 13peak, marked by enhanced regulatory, immune, and microenvironment-responsive signaling.Conclusion This study suggests that the passage 13 may represent a putative transition between biosynthetic decline and regulatory adaptation. Our findings provide a molecular framework for understanding age-related periodontal tissue degeneration and may inform future strategies for early intervention, prevention, and regeneration in periodontal disease associated with aging.
SN - 1991-7902
SN - 2213-8862
ER -