Machine learning-assisted immune profiling stratifies peri-implantitis patients with unique microbial colonization and clinical outcomes

Theranostics. 2021 May 3;11(14):6703-6716. doi: 10.7150/thno.57775. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Rationale: The endemic of peri-implantitis affects over 25% of dental implants. Current treatment depends on empirical patient and site-based stratifications and lacks a consistent risk grading system. Methods: We investigated a unique cohort of peri-implantitis patients undergoing regenerative therapy with comprehensive clinical, immune, and microbial profiling. We utilized a robust outlier-resistant machine learning algorithm for immune deconvolution. Results: Unsupervised clustering identified risk groups with distinct immune profiles, microbial colonization dynamics, and regenerative outcomes. Low-risk patients exhibited elevated M1/M2-like macrophage ratios and lower B-cell infiltration. The low-risk immune profile was characterized by enhanced complement signaling and higher levels of Th1 and Th17 cytokines. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia were significantly enriched in high-risk individuals. Although surgery reduced microbial burden at the peri-implant interface in all groups, only low-risk individuals exhibited suppression of keystone pathogen re-colonization. Conclusion: Peri-implant immune microenvironment shapes microbial composition and the course of regeneration. Immune signatures show untapped potential in improving the risk-grading for peri-implantitis.

Keywords: FARDEEP; classification; immune profiling; microbiome; peri-implantitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Machine Learning*
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Microbiota / genetics*
  • Peri-Implantitis / classification
  • Peri-Implantitis / immunology*
  • Peri-Implantitis / microbiology*
  • Prevotella intermedia / isolation & purification
  • Risk Factors
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines