Non‐coding RNA alterations in occlusal disharmony‐induced anxiety‐like behaviour

Abstract Background Occlusal disharmony (OD) may induce anxiety‐like behaviours; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we explored the expression profiles of non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs), along with their biological function and regulatory network, in anxiety‐like behaviour induced by OD. Materials and Methods Occlusal disharmony was produced by anterior crossbite of C57BL/6 mice. Behavioural tests, corticosterone (CORT) and serotonin (5‐HT) levels were used to measure anxiety. In addition, RNA sequencing was used to screen all differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs. Moreover, the RNA‐binding proteins interacting with ncRNAs were predicted by the ENCORI database and confirmed using western blots. Results The significant differences in behavioural tests and CORT suggested the successful induction of anxiety‐like behaviour by OD. In OD mice, ncRNAs were significantly dysregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses suggested that the DE ncRNAs were enriched in anxiety‐related pathways. CircRNA10039 was upregulated, and PTBP1 was predicted to interact with circRNA10039. In addition, KEGG pathway analysis showed that PTBP1 may be associated with messenger RNA biogenesis and spliceosomes. Conclusion OD induced by anterior crossbite can lead to the anxiety‐like behaviours. During this process, ncRNA also changes. CircRNA10039 and PTBP1 may play a role in OD‐induced anxiety‐like behaviours.