Single-cell and spatial mapping of cells in gum tissue from aggressive versus chronic periodontitis

Single-cell and Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling of Gingival Tissues in Aggressive and Chronic Periodontitis: Deciphering Cellular Heterogeneity and Inflammatory Microenvironment Features

This project tests whether single-cell and spatial transcriptomics plus whole-genome sequencing can find cellular and genetic differences in gum tissue from people with aggressive periodontitis compared with chronic periodontitis and healthy gums.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 9 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
• Trial ID: NCT07487272 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will collect gingival tissue from patients already scheduled for tooth extraction or periodontal surgery and from healthy control donors, then profile those samples with single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to map cell types, states, and their tissue locations. Peripheral blood will undergo whole-genome sequencing to search for disease-linked genetic variants associated with aggressive periodontitis. The study compares cellular composition, mesenchymal stem cell subpopulations, gene expression signatures, signaling pathways, and spatial microenvironment patterns across aggressive, chronic, and healthy tissues. Data analysis will highlight molecular markers and spatial features that distinguish aggressive periodontitis from more common chronic forms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who meet the protocol's clinical groups: 20–35 year olds with Stage III/IV, Grade C aggressive periodontitis; 30–40 year olds with Stage I/II, Grade A/B chronic periodontitis; or healthy controls aged 20–40 without radiographic bone loss, and all must be scheduled for tissue collection during routine dental surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who have used antibiotics in the past three months, smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day, or are not undergoing procedures that provide tissue samples are unlikely to benefit from joining this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal cellular markers, pathways, and genetic risk factors that help diagnose aggressive periodontitis earlier or point to new therapeutic targets.

How similar studies have performed: Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic methods have revealed disease-specific cell states in other inflammatory conditions and small-scale periodontal studies have begun to profile gum tissue, but combining single-cell, spatial, and whole-genome sequencing for aggressive periodontitis is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Aggressive Periodontitis Patients:

1. Aged 20-35 years
2. Radiographic evidence of at least 30% vertical bone loss at ≥2 tooth sites
3. Can be classified as Stage III/IV, Grade C periodontitis according to the 2018 new classification of periodontitis
4. With or without family history of periodontitis
5. No significant local contributing factors (e.g., calculus, occlusal trauma, etc.)

Chronic Periodontitis Patients:

1. Aged 30-40 years
2. ≥3 sites with probing depth ≥5 mm
3. Can be classified as Stage I/II, Grade A/B periodontitis according to the 2018 new classification of periodontitis
4. No significant family history
5. Disease predominantly driven by local factors (dental plaque, calculus, etc.)

Healthy Controls:

1. Aged 20-40 years
2. Radiographic examination shows no significant alveolar bone loss
3. Clinically cannot be diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Use of antibiotics within the past 3 months
2. Smoking \>10 cigarettes per day
3. Uncontrolled severe diabetes (HbA1c level ≥6.7%)
4. Planning pregnancy, currently pregnant, or breastfeeding
5. Alcohol or drug addiction
6. Long-term use of immunosuppressive agents
7. Infectious diseases such as hepatitis or AIDS/HIV
8. History of malignant tumor, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy within the past 5 years

Where this trial is running

Hangzhou, Zhejiang

• 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China — Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Li-li Zhou

Conditions Periodontis; Aggressive Periodontitis