Premium
Salivary antimicrobial proteins associate with age‐related changes in streptococcal composition in dental plaque
Author(s) -
Malcolm J.,
Sherriff A.,
Lappin D.F.,
Ramage G.,
Conway D.I.,
Macpherson L.M.D.,
Culshaw S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
molecular oral microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 2041-1014
pISSN - 2041-1006
DOI - 10.1111/omi.12058
Subject(s) - saliva , streptococcus mutans , lactoferrin , dental plaque , biofilm , antimicrobial , microbiology and biotechnology , calprotectin , context (archaeology) , bacteria , antibody , antimicrobial peptides , biology , beta defensin , immunology , medicine , biochemistry , paleontology , genetics , inflammatory bowel disease , disease
Summary Secretion of antimicrobial proteins ( AMP s) and salivary antibodies can modify biofilm formation at host body surfaces. In adolescents, associations have been reported between dental caries and salivary AMP s. AMP s demonstrate direct antimicrobial effects at high concentrations, and at lower more physiological concentrations they mediate changes in host cell defenses, which may alter the local environment and indirectly shape local biofilm formation. The expression of salivary AMP s in preschool children, at an age when the oral bacteria are known to change, has not been investigated. We sought to investigate salivary AMP expression in the context of previously well‐documented changes in the oral cavities of this age group including salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), oral bacteria and dental caries. Dental plaque and saliva were collected from 57 children aged 12–24 months at baseline, of whom 23 children were followed‐up at 3 years of age. At each time, saliva was assessed for LL 37, human neutrophil peptides 1–3, calprotectin, lactoferrin, salivary IgA, total plaque bacteria and Streptococcus mutans . Over time, concentrations of AMP s, S. mutans and bacteria‐specific salivary IgA increased. Caries experience was also recorded when children were 3 years old. Concentrations of AMP s were highest in the saliva of 3‐year‐old children with the greatest burden of S. mutans . These data suggest that salivary AMP s are variable over time and between individuals, and are linked with bacterial colonization. At follow up, the majority of children remained caries free. Larger longitudinal studies are required to confirm whether salivary AMP levels are predictive of caries and whether their modulation offers therapeutic benefit.