USP4 depletion-driven RAB7A ubiquitylation impairs autophagosome-lysosome fusion and aggravates periodontitis

In exploring the pathogenesis of periodontitis, we collected clinical gingival tissues from healthy donors and patients with severe periodontitis for RNA-Seq analysis, and calculated the significant statistical correlation values (R) between autophagy-related genes and inflammation-related genes in human gingival tissues, which could inform a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of periodontitis. Overall design: To explore the probable relationship between autophagy-related genes and inflammation-related genes, Clinical human gingiva tissues were collected from severe periodontitis patients (Stage IIIC) and healthy individuals. We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-Seq of these samples.