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World J Stem Cells. Jun 26, 2026; 18(6): 116004
Published online Jun 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.116004
Published online Jun 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.116004
Dysregulated circARF3/miR-27b-3p/YAP1 contributes to impaired osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in periodontitis
Lin Qi, Ze-Bin Mao, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Xiao-Qing Wang, Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Jia Sun, Department of Orthodontics, Institute for Clinical Research and Application of Sunny Dental, Beijing 100022, China
Rui-Zhi Li, Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Jiuwen Dental Clinic, Beijing 102218, China
Author contributions: Qi L, Wang XQ, and Mao ZB designed and coordinated the study; Qi L, Wang XQ, Sun J, and Li RZ performed the experiments, acquired and analyzed data; Qi L, Wang XQ, Sun J, and Li RZ interpreted the data; Qi L and Mao ZB wrote the manuscript; all authors approved the final version of the article.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of China Medical University (No. 2024PS237K).
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Corresponding author: Ze-Bin Mao, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China. zbmao@bjmu.edu.cn
Received: November 25, 2025
Revised: January 7, 2026
Accepted: March 17, 2026
Published online: June 26, 2026
Processing time: 211 Days and 23.8 Hours
Revised: January 7, 2026
Accepted: March 17, 2026
Published online: June 26, 2026
Processing time: 211 Days and 23.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Periodontal ligament stem cells are promising candidate for the regenerative treatment of periodontal and alveolar bone tissues. Circular RNA ADP-ribosylation factor 3 was decreased in the periodontal ligament tissues of periodontitis patients. Circular RNA ADP-ribosylation factor 3 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in periodontitis by acting as a sponge for miR-27b-3p and increasing the expression of its target gene, Yes associated protein 1. This suggests it could be a potential therapeutic target for regenerative treatment of periodontitis.