Work

Effect of Periodontal Therapy on Salivary Extracellular Vesicle Cargos: An Exploratory Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIM: To investigate longitudinal changes in salivary extracellular vesicle (EV) sub-populations and their associated cytokine profiles following non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in patients with Stage III-IV periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This exploratory study recruited 25 patients, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline, 3 months (T1) and 6 months (T2) post-NSPT. Clinical parameters, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque index (PI), were recorded. Salivary host EVs were isolated using bead-based immunoaffinity capture method and analysed for sub-population markers and cytokine cargo. RESULTS: Significant improvements in PPD, CAL, BOP and PI were observed at T1 and T2 compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis identified five suboptimal responders with persistent deep pockets (≥ 4 sites with ≥ 5 mm) at T1 and T2. At 6 months, levels of CD63+, CD24+ and CD142+ host EVs, as well as host EV-associated interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-2, were reduced compared to baseline, while IL-5 and IL-10 levels were elevated. Our exploratory analysis showed that suboptimal responders exhibited higher expressions of CD81+, CD326+, CD45+ and CD133+ host EVs at T1 compared to responders. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study demonstrated that NSPT led to clinical improvements accompanied by changes in the composition and cytokine cargo of salivary host EVs. Alterations in salivary host EV sub-populations and cytokine profiles may have potential utility as biomarkers for monitoring treatment outcomes in periodontitis.

Source: Journal Of Clinical Periodontology

DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.70051