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Age‐related changes in immune function (immune senescence) in caries and periodontal diseases: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Preshaw Philip M.,
Henne Karsten,
Taylor John J.,
Valentine Ruth A.,
Conrads Georg
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/jcpe.12675
Subject(s) - periodontitis , immune system , senescence , saliva , immunosenescence , medicine , immunology , disease , ageing , dentistry , pathology
Aim To systematically review the evidence regarding immune senescence in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and dental caries. Methods A systematic search of electronic databases utilizing medical subject headings (Me SH terms) supplemented by screening of review articles and other relevant texts was undertaken. Results Seventy‐three articles were included (43 for periodontitis, 30 for caries). Study results were found to be generally heterogeneous. Regarding periodontitis, human studies suggest evidence for altered neutrophil function and increased production of pro‐inflammatory mediators (e.g. interleukin‐1 β , interleukin‐6 and prostaglandin E 2 ) in older compared to younger subjects, and animal experiments suggest increased expression of genes that contribute to a pro‐inflammatory state in older compared to younger animals. Regarding dental caries, research relating to changes in immune functioning and the impact of ageing is in its infancy. A small number of studies have reported components of innate and adaptive immunity that affect the composition of saliva and dental biofilms with possible impacts on caries progression. Conclusion There is evidence that immune functioning related to periodontitis and (less investigated) dental caries alters with increasing age. In both conditions, age‐associated mechanistic changes in immune functioning are complex and incompletely understood and it is not clear how these relate to disease susceptibility.