Abstract

Dental caries is an oral pathology associated with both lifestyle and genetic factors. The caries process can be influenced by salivary composition, which includes ions and proteins. Studies have described associations between salivary protein polymorphisms and dental caries experience, while others have shown no association with salivary proteins genetic variability. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of salivary protein polymorphisms on the risk of dental caries by means of a systematic review of the current literature. An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library. The following search terms were used: "dental caries susceptibility," "dental caries," "polymorphism, genetics," "saliva," "proteins," and "peptides." Related MeSH headings and free terms were included. The inclusion criteria comprised clinical investigations of subjects with and without caries. After application of these eligibility criteria, the selected articles were qualified by assessing their methodological quality. Initially, 338 articles were identified from the electronic databases after exclusion of duplicates. Exclusion criteria eliminated 322 articles, and 16 remained for evaluation. Eleven articles found a consistent association between salivary protein polymorphisms and risk of dental caries, for proteins related to antimicrobial activity (beta defensin 1 and lysozyme-like protein), pH control (carbonic anhydrase VI), and bacterial colonization/adhesion (lactotransferrin, mucin, and proline-rich protein Db). This systematic review demonstrated an association between genetic polymorphisms and risk of dental caries for most of the salivary proteins.

Highlights

  • Dental caries is the most prevalent human infectious oral disease and is linked to both lifestyle and socioeconomic and genetic factors,[1] as well as to characteristics of the oral environment.[2]

  • Tooth surface colonization by cariogenic microorganisms is initiated by their interaction with proteins in the acquired pellicle,[3] and in vitro studies have shown that salivary proteins can interact with oral bacteria in different ways

  • Studies of salivary proteins and peptides indicate that these substances have diagnostic and interventional potential in several clinical situations,[4] which may allow the development of prevention programs or individualized treatment.[9]

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Summary

Introduction

Dental caries is the most prevalent human infectious oral disease and is linked to both lifestyle and socioeconomic and genetic factors,[1] as well as to characteristics of the oral environment.[2] Tooth surface colonization by cariogenic microorganisms is initiated by their interaction with proteins in the acquired pellicle,[3] and in vitro studies have shown that salivary proteins can interact with oral bacteria in different ways. Proteins such as lysozymes, interleukins, mucins, and lactotransferrin (LTF) can promote cell aggregation, inhibition, and/or bacterial adherence.[4,5,6,7] Other proteins, such as beta defensins, have. Studies of salivary proteins and peptides indicate that these substances have diagnostic and interventional potential in several clinical situations,[4] which may allow the development of prevention programs or individualized treatment.[9]

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