Scientists from USA have identified 41 genes that causes gum diseases.
In the study, the team “reverse-engineered” the gene expression data to build a map of the genetic interactions that lead to periodontitis and identify individual genes that appear to have the most influence on the disease.
Periodontal disease is inflammation of the tissue around the teeth, often causing shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth.
The researchers examined RNA from healthy and diseased gum tissues of 120 patients with periodontitis.
Many of the genes identified by Papapanou and his team are implicated in immune and inflammatory pathways, confirming laboratory and clinical observations of the development of periodontal disease.
