Abstract
Host immune response has been demonstrated to be of considerable importance in oral infections, namely dental caries and periodontal diseases. The molecular pathogenesis of dental caries has been well recognized and evidence indicates that salivary antibodies can modify the course of infection caused by mutans streptococci. The use of specific antigens from mutans streptococci and passive antibody administration has been shown to result in protection from dental caries. Thus, dental caries can be considered a conventional bacterial infectious disease where the major causative organism is recognized. However, periodontal disease is a more specialized type of infectious disease, related to a constellation of oral biofilm microorganisms. These organisms initiate a host immune response and produce symptoms of periodontitis. Antibodies from gingival crevicular fluid have shown the potential to alter the nature of the pathogenic flora. Recent findings suggest that lymphocytes can be the key to bone resorption in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Activated lymphocytes that infiltrate the gingival/periodontal tissues upregulate receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and subsequently induce osteoclastogenesis. Interference with antigen-specific T and B cell activation should provide new approaches for amelioration of inflammatory bone resorption in periodontal diseases.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.