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

Inclusion criteria

Aggressive Periodontitis Patients:

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

Chronic Periodontitis Patients:

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

Healthy Controls:

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

Exclusion criteria

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