Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42644235›Full record

ArticleMediators of inflammation2026

Exploring Matrix Stiffness-Related Gene in Periodontitis: A Comprehensive Multidataset Analysis.

Yanhui Peng, Xiaoqin Yang, Wei Fang, Lifang Zhang, Ting Guo, Hongyu Zheng

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Mediators of inflammation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yanhui PengStomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Stomatology Hospital), No. 366 South Jiangnan Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510280, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1547-1740
Xiaoqin YangStomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Stomatology Hospital), No. 366 South Jiangnan Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510280, China.
Wei FangStomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Stomatology Hospital), No. 366 South Jiangnan Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510280, China.
Lifang ZhangStomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Stomatology Hospital), No. 366 South Jiangnan Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510280, China.
Ting GuoStomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Stomatology Hospital), No. 366 South Jiangnan Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510280, China.
Hongyu ZhengThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China, zzu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCharacterized by the progressive deterioration of periodontal supporting tissues, periodontitis (PD) is a prevalent oral disorder primarily instigated by dental plaque biofilms. Matrix stiffness (MS), a key extracellular matrix (ECM) property, regulates inflammatory cell function and tissue repair balance. Herein, we sought to screen for potential biomarkers linking MS to PD pathogenesis and characterize the molecular mechanisms governing their regulation.

methodsTo detect robust biomarkers, we utilized differential expression analysis and machine learning approaches (LASSO, random forest, and Boruta), followed by rigorous validation. Beyond biomarker identification, the study involved functional enrichment, immune infiltration estimation, drug screening, and regulatory network mapping, all integrated with single-cell data.

resultsFour upregulated MS-related biomarkers (COL15A1, COL4A1, CXCR4, and MMP7) were identified, enriched in chemokine signaling and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity pathways. Immune infiltration revealed 15 differentially abundant cell types (e.g., neutrophils and resting NK cells). Regulatory networks (e.g., MALAT1-hsa-miR-124-3 p-COL4A1) and potential drugs (e.g., dipyridamole) were predicted. Single-cell analysis identified 13 cell types, with endothelial cells showing high activity in fatty acid metabolism pathways.

conclusionCOL15A1, COL4A1, CXCR4, and MMP7 were identified as biomarkers associated with MS. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that they might be involved in the progression of PD through pathways such as immune infiltration, metabolism, and inflammatory chemotaxis, providing hypothetical clues regarding the link between MS and the pathogenesis of PD; however, their specific mechanisms of action still required experimental validation.

Indexed as

Extracellular MatrixPeriodontitisBiomarkersCollagen Type IVHumansMachine LearningMatrix Metalloproteinase 7Receptors, CXCR4Single-Cell AnalysisBiomarkersCOL4A1 protein, humanCollagen Type IVMatrix Metalloproteinase 7Receptors, CXCR4biomarkersmachine learningmatrix stiffnessperiodontitis

Identifiers

PMID42644235
PMCPMC13507932

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.