Abstract
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are crucial components of host defense against microbial challenge but the associations of HLA types with oral infectious diseases have not been studied in detail. This prospective cross-sectional study examined associations of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 types with common oral diseases in a healthy Swiss adult population. 257 subjects (107 m, 150 f, mean age: 43.5 yr; range: 21–58 yr) with known HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 profiles and comprehensive medical records were included. A thorough anamnesis was followed by oral examinations including saliva flow measurements, the DMFT score for cariological status, complete periodontal status with plaque and bleeding indexes as well as assessment of mucosal alterations and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Student’s t-test and Pearson chi-square test were utilized to compare the oral diseases between HLA positive and negative subjects. Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was used and PBonf<0.05 was considered statistically significant. HLA types -B15 (PBonf = 0.002), -B51 (PBonf = 0.02) and -DRB1*12 (PBonf = 0.02) were associated with less periodontal disease manifestations. HLA-A32 had a positive association with TMD dysfunction (PBonf = 0.012). No other statistically significant associations were observed. In conclusion, HLA types may contribute to the development of oral diseases in generally healthy Caucasian adults.
Highlights
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules, called human leukocyte antigens (HLA), have a pivotal role in immune response [1] [2] [3]
A few studies have examined associations between HLA-DR4 and saliva levels of Streptococcus mutans with contrasting results [13] [14] [15] [17]
We observed a weak association between HLA-DR2 and an increased DMFT score among recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [10]
Summary
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules, called human leukocyte antigens (HLA), have a pivotal role in immune response [1] [2] [3]. HLA molecules vary extensively between individuals which may explain differences in inflammatory response towards microbial challenge [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]. The associations of HLA class I (HLA-A, -B and -C) and II antigens (HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP) with oral infectious diseases have not been studied extensively. Evidence on the associations of HLA types with dental caries is lacking. Contrasting results have been obtained on the associations of HLA class II antigens with salivary counts of cariogenic microbes, or with DMFT/S (decayed, missing or filled tooth/surface) score [11] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]. Among severely ill hemato-oncological patients prior to bone marrow transplantation we have observed an association of increased caries prevalence with the HLA types -A32, -B5, and -DR2, and a lower prevalence in HLA-B35 and -C4-positive individuals [10]
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