lactoferrin and Dental-Plaque

Lactoferrin is one of a number of multifunctional proteins that are present in or on all mucosal surfaces throughout the body. Levels of lactoferrin are consistently elevated in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, corneal disease, and periodontitis. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lactoferrin have been shown to be present in individuals susceptible to Escherichia coli-induced travelers' diarrhea and in tear fluid derived from virally associated corneal disease. Here, we review data showing a lactoferrin SNP in amino acid position 29 in the antimicrobial region of lactoferrin that acts against caries associated bacteria. This SNP was initially discovered in African American subjects with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) who had proximal bone loss but minimal proximal caries. Results were confirmed in a genetic association study of children from Brazil with this same SNP who showed a reduced level of caries. In vitro data indicate that lactoferrin from whole saliva derived from subjects with this SNP, recombinant human lactoferrin containing this SNP, or an 11-mer peptide designed for this SNP kills mutans streptococci associated with caries by >1 log. In contrast, the SNP has minimal effect on Gram-negative species associated with periodontitis. Moreover, periodontally healthy subjects homozygous for this lysine (K) SNP have lactoferrin in their saliva that kills mutans streptococci and have reduced proximal decay. The review summarizes data supporting the ecologic plaque hypothesis and suggests that a genetic variant in lactoferrin with K in position 29 when found in saliva and crevice fluid can influence community biofilm composition. We propose that, for caries, this SNP is ethnicity independent and protective by directly killing caries-provoking bacteria (reducing proximal decay). However, the clinical effect of this SNP in LAP is ethnicity dependent, destructive (increases LAP incidence), and complex with mechanisms still to be determined.

Topics: Aggressive Periodontitis; Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lysine; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Streptococcus mutans

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the traditional clinical criteria are inadequate for: determining active disease sites in periodontitis, monitoring quantitatively the response to therapy or measuring the degree of susceptibility to future breakdown. In an attempt to develop objective measures, a wide variety of studies have been undertaken using saliva, blood, plaque and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as the specimen source. Examination has included: specific bacteria and their products; host cells and their products (enzymatic and antibacterial, both immunologic and non-immunologic); products of tissue injury derived from local epithelial and connective tissues and bone. Although most of the work to date has failed to provide reliable aids to the clinician, refinements in techniques for sampling and the availability of more sophisticated analytic techniques give cause for optimism. Methods proposed for detection of disease-associated bacteria in subgingival plaque vary in their sensitivity and specificity. Dark field microscopy shows some correlation with existing disease; however, the limited specificity of this method imposes severe restrictions on its usefulness. Highly specific polyclonal and monoclonal antisera to suspected pathogens Bacteroides gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans have been developed and improved methods of identification of these microbes in plaque by ELISA immunofluorescence and flow cytometry are under development. With respect to the host response, a strong correlation between antibody patterns to specific bacteria and periodontal disease categories appears to be emerging. Although most studies have focused on serum antibody derived from peripheral blood, a shift to detection of local antibody response appears to be likely. Techniques of measurement that are exquisitely sensitive have been developed for detection of major immune recognition proteins such as antibody and complement in crevicular fluid. Research efforts attempting to correlate local antibody response to local disease activity are underway. Measurement of GCF flow rate, endotoxin, H2S, butyrate and a variety of enzymes (e.g., collagenase, arylsulfatase, B-glucuronidase) show good correlation with levels of gingivitis. In periodontitis, the most promising markers of tissue breakdown are prostaglandins of the E series, the enzymes collagenase and aspartate aminotransferase, sulfated glycosaminoglycans, osteoclastic activating factor and bon

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Bacteria; Bacteriological Techniques; Bone Resorption; Butyrates; Butyric Acid; Complement System Proteins; Dental Plaque; Electrolytes; Endotoxins; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide; Intracellular Fluid; Lactoferrin; Leukocytes; Muramidase; Periodontal Diseases; Polyamines; Propionates

A variety of components provide salivary secretions with an array of potentially effective means of combating cariogenic challenges. These defense factors range from a laissez-faire mechanical cleansing to exquisitely controlled production of highly specific antibodies. In between the two extremes are antibacterial systems whose operating characteristics are only beginning to be understood. These systems are well worth our attention. They may be the key to our understanding of variations in individual susceptibility, and could provide valuable leads for development of anticaries agents.

Topics: Adsorption; Agglutination; Animals; Bacteria; Cell Adhesion; Cell Aggregation; Dental Caries; Dental Enamel Solubility; Dental Plaque; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydroxyapatites; Lactoferrin; Lactoperoxidase; Muramidase; Saliva; Secretory Rate

The oral microbiota influences health and disease states. Some gram-negative anaerobic bacteria play important roles in tissue destruction associated with periodontal disease. Lactoferrin (LF) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) are antimicrobial proteins found in saliva; however, their influence on the whole oral microbiota currently remains unknown. In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, the effects of long-term ingestion of LF and LPO-containing tablets on the microbiota of supragingival plaque and tongue coating were assessed. Forty-six older individuals ingested placebo or test tablets after every meal for 8 weeks. The relative abundance of bacterial species was assessed by 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. Most of the bacterial species in supragingival plaque and tongue coating that exhibited significant decreases in the test group were gram-negative bacteria, including periodontal pathogens. Decreases in the total relative abundance of gram-negative organisms in supragingival plaque and tongue coating correlated with improvements in assessed variables related to oral health, such as oral malodor and plaque accumulation. Furthermore, there was significantly less microbiota diversity in supragingival plaque at 8 weeks in the test group than in the placebo group and low microbiota diversity correlated with improvements in assessed variables related to oral health. These results suggest that LF and LPO-containing tablets promote a shift from a highly diverse and gram-negative-dominated to a gram-positive-dominated community in the microbiota of supragingival plaque and tongue coating. This microbial shift may contribute to improvements in oral health, including oral malodor and state of the gingiva.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bacteria; Biodiversity; Dental Plaque; DNA, Bacterial; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gingiva; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoperoxidase; Male; Microbial Consortia; Microbiota; Oral Health; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Saliva; Tongue

Chlorhexidine (CHX)-containing mouthrinses are recommended as adjuncts to mechanical oral hygiene. The problem associated with side effects, however, has stimulated the search for alternative antiplaque agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the plaque inhibitory effects of two mouthrinses containing amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (ASF) and antimicrobial host proteins (lactoperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin; LLL), respectively.. The study was an observer-masked, randomized 4x4 Latin square cross-over design balanced for carryover effects, involving 12 healthy volunteers in a 4-day plaque regrowth model. A 0.12% CHX mouthrinse and a saline solution served as positive and negative controls, respectively. On day 1, subjects received professional prophylaxis, suspended oral hygiene measures, and commenced rinsing with their allocated rinses. On day 5, subjects were scored for disclosed plaque.. The ASF rinse showed a significant inhibition of plaque regrowth in comparison to both saline and LLL solutions, but the lowest plaque indices were obtained with the CHX formulation (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between LLL rinse and saline (P>0.05). Such pattern of efficacy was the same in anterior and posterior teeth and in vestibular and lingual surfaces as well, with the exception of the lingual anterior surfaces. In these sites, differences between the CHX and ASF rinses were not significant (P>0.05). A significantly higher prevalence of side effects was found in subjects using the CHX product (P<0.0042).. Although the effect on plaque regrowth observed with 0.12% CHX rinsing was superior to that with ASF, the ASF rinse was not associated with side effects. These findings, together with those from long-term trials, suggest that the ASF rinse may represent an effective alternative to CHX rinse as an adjunct to oral hygiene. On the contrary, the LLL rinse did not significantly inhibit plaque regrowth.

Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Chlorhexidine; Cross-Over Studies; Dental Plaque; Drug Combinations; Female; Fluorides, Topical; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoperoxidase; Male; Mouthwashes; Muramidase; Observer Variation; Patient Compliance; Single-Blind Method; Statistics, Nonparametric; Tin Fluorides

Student nurses (aged 20-26 years) were assigned to two groups that were matched for plaque levels and gingival health. For six months, one group used a standard fluoride dentifrice while the other used an identical dentifrice to which zinc citrate (1%, w/w) and Triclosan (0.2%, w/w) had been added. Levels of natural antimicrobial proteins (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase and Immunoglobulin A) in whole, unstimulated saliva taken from the students at the start and on completion of the six months were measured. No statistically significant differences were found in the levels of antimicrobial proteins in saliva between the test and placebo groups.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Infective Agents; Citrates; Citric Acid; Dental Plaque; Dentifrices; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Muramidase; Peroxidases; Placebos; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Time Factors; Triclosan

Secretion of antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) and salivary antibodies can modify biofilm formation at host body surfaces. In adolescents, associations have been reported between dental caries and salivary AMPs. AMPs 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 AMPs 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 LL37, human neutrophil peptides 1-3, calprotectin, lactoferrin, salivary IgA, total plaque bacteria and Streptococcus mutans. Over time, concentrations of AMPs, S. mutans and bacteria-specific salivary IgA increased. Caries experience was also recorded when children were 3 years old. Concentrations of AMPs were highest in the saliva of 3-year-old children with the greatest burden of S. mutans. These data suggest that salivary AMPs 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.

Topics: alpha-Defensins; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Bacterial Load; Biofilms; Cathelicidins; Child, Preschool; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Infant; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Male; Mouth; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of infant dentifrices: A--with lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase and lactoferrin; B--with 1100 ppm of NaF and sodium lauryl sulfate; C--with extract of calendula. The dentifrices were test on biofilms formed in vitro from saliva and dental plaque of infants, using reference strains A. viscosus (ATCC 43146); C. albicans (ATCC 51501); L. casei (ATCC 4646); S. mitis (ATCC 49456); S. mutans (ATCC 25175); S. oralis (ATCC 35037); S. sanguis (ATCC 10586); S. sobrinus (ATCC 27609) and isolated clinically microorganisms C. albicans, S. mitis, S. mutans, S. oralis, S. sanguis, S. sobrinus and Lactobacillus sp. Twenty infants were chosen, who were beginning treatment at the Infants Clinic of the Pediatric Dentistry Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A pool of unstimulated saliva and a pool of dental plaque were collected from which biofilms were produced. Supernatants from each dentifrice were prepared and concentrated and diluted solutions of the dentifrices and a control sterile diluent were tested against the biofilms produced, for 1 and 3 minutes, and against the microorganisms. The results were statistically analyzed by the ANOVA and Tukey Test. After the exposure of the biofilms produced both from saliva and from dental plaque, to the dentifrice B concentrated and 1/2, for 1 and 3 minutes, the viable microorganisms count (CFU/ml), compared to the controls, was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). However, exposure to the dentifrices A and C concentrated and dentifrice B 1/4 and 1/8, for 1 and 3 minutes, was not significantly lethal to the biofilms. The dentifrices A and C, either concentrated or diluted (1/2 to 1/128) and the dentifrice B in the dilutions 1/16 to 1/128 did not have an antimicrobial effect on any microorganism evaluated. For all the microorganisms evaluated, the dentifrice B concentrated and in the 1/2 dilution showed a significant antimicrobial effect, when compared with the control (p < 0.05).

Topics: Actinomyces viscosus; Analysis of Variance; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Bacteria; Biofilms; Calendula; Candida albicans; Colony Count, Microbial; Dental Plaque; Dentifrices; Female; Glucose Oxidase; Humans; Infant; Lacticaseibacillus casei; Lactobacillus; Lactoferrin; Lactoperoxidase; Male; Mouth; Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal; Saliva; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Sodium Fluoride; Statistics as Topic; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus oralis; Streptococcus sanguis; Streptococcus sobrinus; Surface-Active Agents; Time Factors

The aim of the present experiment was to study changes in (i) the composition of the inflammatory cell infiltrates and (ii) levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin, lactoferrin and IgG subclasses in gingival crevicular fluid in young and old individuals during 3 weeks of plaque formation. To establish healthy gingival conditions, all subjects received professional tooth cleaning during a 4 week pre-experimental period. The experimental sites included the mesio-palatal, palatal, and disto-palatal surfaces of all teeth present in the 15...25 tooth region. At baseline (day 0) assessments of plaque and gingivitis, microbial sampling and gingival fluid assessment were performed and one gingival biopsy harvested from each subject. Following the baseline examination, the participants abolished mechanical tooth cleaning measures in the palatal and approximal surfaces of 15...25. The clinical examination and the gingival fluid measurement were repeated on days 7, 14 and 21 of no oral hygiene. The microbiological sampling and the biopsy procedure were repeated on days 7 and 21. The gingival crevicular fluid samples harvested from the old individuals had higher levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin and IgG3 compared to young subjects. The immunohistochemical analyses of the biopsies demonstrated that the gingival lesion representing the old individuals harbored a higher proportion of B-cells and a lower density of PMN cells compared to the infiltrate in the young group of subjects. It is suggested that differences exist in the inflammatory response to de novo plaque formation in young and old individuals.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Albumins; alpha-Macroglobulins; B-Lymphocytes; Biopsy; Cell Count; Dental Plaque; Follow-Up Studies; Gingiva; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Gingivitis; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunohistochemistry; Lactoferrin; Neutrophils; T-Lymphocytes

Many studies have attempted to relate levels of antimicrobial proteins in saliva to oral health; results have been inconsistent, and one reason might be inconsistency of measures of plaque and saliva within subjects. This study investigated associations between plaque and salivary variables in longitudinal data. Whole saliva, and 8-h plaque pooled from buccal first permanent molars, was obtained from 32 dental students on Tuesdays from 3:00-6:00 p.m. over 4 weeks. Salivary flow rate was determined, and samples were assayed for lysozyme, lactoferrin, total peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, OSCN-, sIgA and total protein. Colonies on mitis-salivarius agar were assigned to Streptococcus sanguis, Strep. mutans or Strep. salivarius on the basis of morphology, supplemented by the API Rapid Strep identification system. Consistency of values within subjects across weeks was evaluated by repeat-measures analysis of variance and intraclass correlation; data were transformed to reduce skewness. Pearson's r was used to determine associations between plaque and salivary variables. Significant intraclass correlations (alpha = 0.05) were found for all salivary variables except myeloperoxidase, and for total flora, total streptococci, Strep. sanguis and Strep. sanguis as a proportion of total streptococci. Significant Pearson correlations with Strep. sanguis as a proportion of total streptococci were found for total protein (r = -0.24), sIgA (r = -0.22), lactoferrin (r = -0.19) and OSCN- (r = 0.20) when data from all weeks were pooled (n = 128). Strep. sanguis proportions tended to be low in subjects with high values for salivary proteins; the range of proportions was wider in subjects with low salivary values. These findings suggest some consistency of weekly values for many plaque and salivary variables. They also support previous cross-sectional data which suggested that salivary antimicrobial proteins may have some effect on plaque composition. This study was made before recent revisions in streptococcal taxonomy, and further research is needed to clarify interactions of salivary proteins with currently defined species.

Topics: Bacteria; Circadian Rhythm; Colony Count, Microbial; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Plaque; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Muramidase; Peroxidase; Peroxidases; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Secretory Rate; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus sanguis; Thiocyanates

Resting and stimulated whole saliva was collected from 94 children aged 12-14 years and analyzed for thiocyanate, hypothiocyanite, 'free' and 'total' lysozyme, lactoferrin and secretory IgA. Clinical assessments of the amounts of plaque and gingival inflammation were made, and plaque was collected for determination of dry weight. An inverse relationship was observed between salivary thiocyanate concentrations in both resting and stimulated saliva and the amounts of plaque and gingival inflammation in these subjects (p < 0.05). Lactoferrin concentration in stimulated saliva was directly related to the amounts of plaque and gingivitis (p < 0.05). 'Total' lysozyme concentration in stimulated saliva was directly related to the amount of plaque (p < 0.05), and the 'free' lysozyme concentration in the same saliva was directly related to the amount of gingivitis (p < 0.05). The direct relationship observed between clinical measurements and both lysozyme and lactoferrin concentrations in saliva may have been due to contributions from gingival crevicular fluid. Cluster analysis identified three groups of subjects with different profiles in resting whole saliva, and in particular with different levels of secretory IgA. A statistically significant difference was observed in the quantity of plaque collected from subjects in two of these groups (p < 0.05). These results from cluster analysis using resting whole saliva from children confirmed the findings of a previous study with young adults.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Cluster Analysis; Dental Plaque; Gingivitis; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Multivariate Analysis; Muramidase; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Secretory Rate; Thiocyanates

Samples of resting and stimulated whole saliva and stimulated parotid saliva were collected from 40 young adults. One week later, after 48 h on a standardized diet without oral hygiene, all available plaque was collected for dry weighing. An inverse relationship was found between the 'free' lysozyme concentration in stimulated parotid saliva and plaque dry weight (r = -0.46, p less than 0.01). There were no other statistically significant correlation coefficients between concentrations of individual salivary constituents and plaque dry weight. However, cluster analysis of constituents in resting whole saliva revealed three groups of subjects with different salivary profiles, and in particular with different concentrations of both IgA and hypothiocyanite. Subsequent analysis revealed differences in plaque dry weight between the groups, demonstrating the potential biological significance of cluster membership based on salivary factors.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Infective Agents; Dental Plaque; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Male; Muramidase; Parotid Gland; Regression Analysis; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Secretory Rate; Thiocyanates; Time Factors

Saliva antimicrobial proteins may interact in a common system to influence the oral ecology. Clinical studies of antimicrobial protein action thus may require a multiple-protein approach. Multivariate statistical methods have been used to describe possible patterns of interaction for lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase and secretory IgA in stimulated parotid saliva. However, oral microbes are most likely to encounter antimicrobial proteins in mixed resting saliva. Relationships among levels of lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase, and secretory IgA therefore were investigated in whole saliva from 216 subjects, and an attempt made to relate interperson variation in those proteins to differences in health and status, and dental plaque accumulation and composition. All proteins were significantly (alpha = 0.05) correlated with each other (r = 0.38-0.52, p less than 0.001). There was only one axis of common variation among proteins, and that axis was significantly correlated (p less than 0.001) with total protein (r = 0.84) and flow rate (r = -0.56). That pattern deviated from the previous finding that proteins of acinar origin tended to vary independently from proteins of ductal origin in stimulated parotid saliva. The difference between parotid and whole saliva may reflect constitutive secretion of all proteins at low levels of stimulation. Common variation of unstimulated saliva proteins suggests that antimicrobial actions can be compared in subjects at population extremes. There were no significant associations between antimicrobial proteins in whole saliva and measures of health status or plaque accumulation. However, the proportions of Streptococcus sanguis were significantly correlated with lysozyme (r = -0.26), lactoferrin (r = -0.34), peroxidase (r = -0.30), total protein (r = -0.37), flow rate (r = 0.24) and principal-components scores (r = -0.33) in a subset of subjects (n = 85) where commercial biochemical tests were used to supplement species identification by colony morphology. Those findings may indicate that saliva antimicrobial proteins can affect the composition of dental plaque.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bacteria; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Dental Plaque; Dental Plaque Index; Female; Health Status; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Male; Muramidase; Oral Health; Peroxidases; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Secretory Rate; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus sanguis; Thiocyanates

The structural integrity of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, and IgM and lactoferrin in dental plaque fluid samples from two populations of Colombian children with contrasting levels of dental caries was examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose. The immune factors or their fragments or both were detected with monospecific antibody conjugated with horseradish peroxidase. All the immune factors examined were extensively degraded, although there appeared to be small amounts of intact IgA and IgG in some samples. Analysis of the samples with antibody to secretory component showed that secretory IgA as well as serum IgA was degraded. IgG appeared to be cleaved into two major fragments, one fragment having a relative mobility similar to the F(ab')2 fragment of IgG and the other a relative mobility slightly greater than Fc. IgM and lactoferrin were virtually completely degraded. There was no apparent relationship between the fragmentation patterns of IgA and IgG in the plaque fluid samples from the two communities and their susceptibility to dental caries.

Topics: Dental Plaque; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Molecular Weight

The contribution of proteins from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to plaque was determined by comparing extracts of supragingival plaque of unknown age formed on normal teeth with plaque formed on artificial teeth in complete or partial dentures where crevicular fluid is absent. There was a total absence of albumin and a virtual absence of IgG from denture plaque samples, confirming their crevicular origin. The concentration of lactoferrin was much higher than that of lysozyme in all supragingival but not in the denture plaque samples, suggesting that GCF provided more lactoferrin than lysozyme to plaque. Amylase was a component in both denture and supragingival plaque, present in similar amounts in both deposits. Cysteine-containing phosphoproteins from saliva were in low concentration but present in all plaque samples; proline-rich proteins were virtually absent, reflecting the high vulnerability to proteolysis of these proteins. Salivary proteins in plaque extracts do not correspond with their relative concentrations in saliva.

Topics: Adult; Albumins; Amylases; Dental Plaque; Dentures; Gingiva; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Lactoferrin; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Salivary Proteins and Peptides

The level of host proteins in 3-day supragingival plaque extracts was compared in caries-resistant (CR) and caries-susceptible (CS) adults with little or no gingival inflammation to minimize the contribution of gingival crevicular fluid ( GCF ). Except for IgA, all the host proteins examined were present at similar levels in both groups of subjects. Although the IgA exhibited fragmentation on sodium dodecylsulphate gradient-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transfer electrophoresis in both groups, the amount of binding to a standard antisecretory IgA antiserum was higher in CR than in CS subjects. This could be a reflection of the trend towards a higher concentration of IgA in saliva of CR subjects or the result of less proteolytic activity in CR plaque. Even in 3-day plaque in the absence of gingival inflammation, GCF contributes a significant share of the host proteins to plaque extracts. Salivary proteins in plaque do not parallel their relative concentration in saliva.

Topics: Adult; Albumins; Amylases; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Dental Plaque; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Lactoferrin; Proteins; Salivary Proteins and Peptides

Topics: Adolescent; Albumins; Child; Child, Preschool; Dental Plaque; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Lactoferrin; Proteins

Separate samples of supragingival dental plaque overtly free of blood were centrifuged to obtain the free fluid phase (plaque fluid). Bound protein was eluted from the plaque bacteria and matrix by washing the plaque with a low-pH buffer. The plaque fluid, low pH eluate, and whole saliva were assayed for immunoglobulins A, G, and M, the third component of complement, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase. Concentrations of total protein and albumin were also determined. Antibody reactive with specific plaque bacteria was detected by indirect immunofluorescent microscopy. Specific and nonspecific immune proteins were present in plaque fluid from adult subjects at significantly greater concentrations than in their saliva, which suggests that these proteins are concentrated in dental plaque. The results indicate that both saliva and gingival exudate contribute to the immunological proteins found in the free fluid phase of dental plaque. The observation that immunoglobulin A antibody reactive with plaque bacteria could be detected in plaque fluid suggests that a wide variety of immunological reactions may occur in the dental plaque. These potential interactions between host, plaque bacteria, and their products could serve to influence the plaque flora and its ability to induce disease.

Topics: Aged; Aging; Antibodies, Bacterial; Child; Complement C3; Dental Plaque; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Lactoferrin; Lactoperoxidase; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Saliva

Topics: Adult; Cells, Cultured; Dental Plaque; Gingivitis; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lysosomes; Male; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Peroxidase

From collected supragingival plaque, extracts were prepared for immunochemical analyses. Extracted sediments were examined by fluorescein-labeled antibodies for the presence of immunoglobulins. Precipitation with monospecific and polyvalent antisera revealed IgA, IgG, secretory component, C3, alpha2macroglobulin, lactoferrin, and albumin in the extracts. Gel filtration of pooled plaque extract yielded two fractions that contained the aforementioned proteins and a prominent, dialyzable third fraction that was immunochemically nonreactive. IgA, IgG, secretory component, and light chains were shown, by immunofluorescence, to be present in washed, pooled plaque sediment. Release of these immunoglobulins by urea treatment indicated their probable participation in immune complexes.

Topics: Albumins; Complement C3; Dental Plaque; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains; Lactoferrin; Macroglobulins