Mucin levels in saliva of adolescents with dental caries

Abstract

BackgroundHuman saliva, a complex secretion that contains a mixture of inorganic and organic molecules, plays an essential role in the maintenance of oral health. Mucins are the major macromolecular component of the secretion and are considered the first line of defense for epithelial tissues. The aim of this study was to compare levels of mucins (MUC5B, MUC7, and MUC1) in saliva of young subjects with dental caries.Material/MethodsAll patients had DMF (decay/missing/filled) higher than value 0. Eight subjects with DMF=3 (control group) and 27 adolescents with DMF >11 (research group) were recruited for this study. Clinical evaluation procedures were oral examination, including tooth, periodontal, oral mucosal status, and collection of saliva samples. Saliva was collected for mucin assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitate MUC5B, MUC7, and MUC1.ResultsOur results indicate that adolescents with very high intensity of dental caries disease had increased levels of MUC1 and MUC5B. The membrane mucin MUC1 protein levels in the group with DMF>11 (research group) were higher compared to the group with DMF=3 (control group), and the increase was statistically significant (p=0.011). Similarly, secreted mucin MUC5B protein levels were higher (p=0.06) in the group with DMF>11 (research group). Although MUC7 protein levels were slightly reduced in symptomatic subjects, the decrease was statistically insignificant (p=0.918).ConclusionsOur data suggest links between the production of mucins, especially MUC1 and MUC5B in saliva, and dental caries disease.

Mucin 5B in saliva and serum of patients with oral lichen planus

“…Changes in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines of the saliva can change the expression of Mucin 5B by epithelial cells. Change in level of IL1, IL6, interferon gamma and TNF-α in OLP can explain change in the level of Mucin 5B in OLP patients 23 . In some patients, xerostomia has more to do with reduction in Mucin 5B and less to do with unstimulated saliva flow 10 .…”

“…It also has an antibacterial effect 9 . Mucin 5B is a large-molecule glycoprotein and is the most abundant type of Mucin in the saliva and oral cavity 23 . The mucin5B isolated from whole saliva and the different salivary glands are varied in size which is because of a variable number of subunits in the one piece oligomeric mucins 24 .…”

Salivary mucins in host defense and disease prevention

“…An epidemiological study shows that adolescents who have increased numbers of cavities actually have more MUC5B and MUC1 in their saliva compared with children who have fewer cavities; the authors postulate that MUC1, a membrane-bound mucin, acts as a scaffold for MUC5B. If the MUC1 scaffold is shed into saliva then MUC5B will also accumulate in saliva as opposed to remaining in the mucosal pellicle ( 19 ). The reduced levels of MUC5B retained in the pellicle leave teeth vulnerable to S. mutans attachment and subsequent cavity formation.…”

“…MUC1 and MUC4 are membrane-associated mucins that line the ducts of parotid, submandibular, and minor salivary glands ( 15 , 16 ). These mucins may play a role in cell signal transduction and could form scaffolds for secreted mucins to bind ( 15 , 17 – 19 ). Although several salivary mucins have been introduced, the following sections will focus specifically on MUC7 and MUC5B structure and function because these are the primary mucins found in saliva.…”

Comparative evaluation of salivary malondialdehyde levels as a marker of lipid peroxidation in early childhood caries

“…[ 3 ] Saliva plays a very important role in maintenance of oral health and also against dental caries as a first line of defense. [ 4 ] It mediates the oral health of individuals through various defense mechanisms such as its flow, buffering capacity, lipids, total protein, and its antioxidant system. [ 4 ] It is widely used as a biomarker for evaluating the oxidative damage mediated by free radicals including lipid peroxidation occurring in the oral cavity.…”