PTPIP51-VAPB Complex in the Periodontal Disease

July 10, 2026 updated by: Kubra Aral, Inonu University

The Role of PTPIP51-VAPB Complex in the Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease

Gum disease, including gingivitis and more advanced periodontitis, is a common condition that damages the tissues supporting the teeth. This study looks at how gum disease affects specific proteins inside gum tissue cells that help control how cells communicate between their internal structures and clean out damaged material (a process called autophagy). Researchers will collect small gum tissue samples from people with healthy gums, gingivitis, or periodontitis during dental procedures they are already having. These samples will be tested to measure the levels of three proteins (called PTPIP51, VAPB, and LC3B) and calcium. In a separate laboratory experiment, gum cells will be exposed to a substance made by bacteria commonly linked to gum disease, to see how these same proteins respond. The goal of this study is to better understand the biological changes that happen in gum tissue as gum disease develops, which may help guide future research into new treatments.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Periodontal disease encompasses a spectrum of inflammatory conditions ranging from gingivitis to periodontitis, both of which are driven by the host immune response to periodontopathogenic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) are physical contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria that regulate calcium exchange, lipid metabolism, and autophagy. The VAPB-PTPIP51 tethering complex is a key molecular determinant of MAM formation, and prior research has shown that alterations in this complex affect autophagosome formation and intracellular calcium homeostasis. However, the role of the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex and autophagy-related protein LC3B in periodontal disease has not been previously characterized.

This study includes two components. First, an observational, cross-sectional investigation was conducted in 60 participants classified into three groups (periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis) according to the 2017 World Workshop classification criteria, based on clinical parameters including plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing. Gingival tissue biopsies were obtained from participants undergoing clinically indicated periodontal procedures (crown lengthening, gingivectomy, or flap surgery). Tissue samples were analyzed for gene expression (RT-PCR) and protein levels (Western blot) of PTPIP51, VAPB, and LC3B, as well as tissue calcium concentration.

Second, an in vitro experimental component was performed using a commercially available human gingival fibroblast cell line (HGF-1) treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 5 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL for 24 hours, to evaluate dose-dependent changes in PTPIP51, VAPB, and LC3B gene expression in response to a periodontopathogenic stimulus.

The findings from this study aim to clarify the involvement of the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethering complex and autophagy-related signaling in periodontal tissue destruction, providing mechanistic insight that may inform future therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum communication in periodontal disease.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

60

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults aged 18 to 60 years attending the periodontology clinic were enrolled and classified into three groups based on clinical periodontal parameters according to the 2017 World Workshop classification: periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis (Stage III). Exclusion criteria included any systemic disease, regular medication use, smoking, pregnancy or lactation, periodontal treatment within the past 6 months, antibiotic use within the past 6 months, and presence of prosthetic restorations on the teeth to be sampled. A total of 60 participants (20 per group; 30 male, 30 female) were included.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Inclusion criteria for the Healthy Control group were: presence of ≥ 20 teeth in the mouth, probing pocket depth (PPD) ≤ 3 mm, the percentage of bleeding sites for the whole mouth < 10%, and, on radiographic examination, a distance of ≤ 3 mm between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest in 95% of all teeth. Inclusion criteria for the Gingivitis group were: presence of ≥ 20 teeth in the mouth, PPD ≤ 3 mm, % of bleeding sites for the whole mouth ≥ 10%, and, on radiographic examination, a distance of ≤ 3 mm between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest in 95% of all teeth. Inclusion criteria for the Stage 3 Periodontitis group were: presence of ≥ 15 teeth in the mouth, more than 30% of teeth affected by periodontal disease, affected teeth exhibiting probing depths of 6 mm or more and clinical attachment loss (CAL) of ≥ 5 mm, vertical bone loss of 3 mm or more, class 2 or 3 furcation involvement, and radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss extending to the middle third and beyond (33%) in the relevant teeth

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria for all groups were defined as: presence of any systemic disease, regular use of any medication, smoking, pregnancy or lactation, periodontal treatment within the last 6 months, antibiotic use within the last 6 months, and the presence of prosthetic restorations on the teeth to be sampled

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
periodontally healthy
periodontally healthy participants
gingivitis group
patients with gingivitis
periodontitis
patients with periodontitis

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Gingival PTPIP51, VAPB, and LC3B Gene and Protein Expression
Time Frame: From February to July 2024
Gene expression (RT-PCR, relative fold change via 2^-ΔΔCT method) and protein expression (Western blot, band intensity normalized to ACTB) of PTPIP51, VAPB, and LC3B were measured and compared in gingival tissue biopsies from participants with periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis
From February to July 2024

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Inonu University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 30, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

July 30, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 10, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 10, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 10, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IU-2024/13

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

De-identified individual participant data will be shared, including participant age, sex, and clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing). Participants will be identified only by coded/numbered case report forms; no names, gender identity beyond biological sex, or other identifying information will be shared.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Beginning 6 months and ending 24 months following article publication

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Data will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal, subject to approval by the corresponding author, for the purpose of achieving the aims outlined in the approved proposal.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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