POTENTIAL ROLE OF EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF PERIODONTITIS (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Resume. The rising incidence of gingivitis and periodontitis seen worldwide has led to the development of inflammatory periodontal diseases as a major component in contemporary dentistry. This research examines scholarly literature to determine the connection between the emergence of inflammatory periodontal illnesses and the gingival sulcus epithelium's enhanced permeability. Studies of the features of the interaction between the epithelial barrier and oral microbiota are given special attention. As part of the project, scholarly publications from sources including eLIBRARY, Google Search, and PubMed were examined. Over 100 papers addressing different facets of the subject under examination were found between 2024 and 2025. Following rigorous selection, 60 works—including reviews and experimental research (both in vitro and in vivo)—were included in the review. These articles' data served as the basis for the findings that follow. A connection between the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity and disturbances in mucous membrane microbiota is suggested by the growing amount of data. Beneficial microbes may either directly combat pathogens that interfere with the barrier's function or they can boost the body's antimicrobial defenses via the immune system. This process involves the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, in which epithelial cells lose their original traits and gain new ones. A periodontal pocket may emerge as a result of these alterations, which may also weaken the basement membrane and compromise the integrity of the epithelial barrier. Hazardous microorganisms may infiltrate the mouth cavity's tissues as a result of this disturbance. In this process, intercellular linkages and tight junctions play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of cell function and regular functioning.

Keywords: Periodontitis, inflammatory periodontal diseases, epithelial barrier permeability, oral microbiota, tight junction protein complexes, gingival crevicular fluid,