Salivary Biomarkers for Dental Caries Detection and Personalized Monitoring

Abstract

This study investigated the potential of salivary bacterial and protein markers for evaluating the disease status in healthy individuals or patients with gingivitis or caries. Saliva samples from caries- and gingivitis-free individuals (n = 18), patients with gingivitis (n = 17), or patients with deep caries lesions (n = 38) were collected and analyzed for 44 candidate biomarkers (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases, a metallopeptidase inhibitor, proteolytic enzymes, and selected oral bacteria). The resulting data were subjected to principal component analysis and used as a training set for random forest (RF) modeling. This computational analysis revealed four biomarkers (IL-4, IL-13, IL-2-RA, and eotaxin/CCL11) to be of high importance for the correct depiction of caries in 37 of 38 patients. The RF model was then used to classify 10 subjects (five caries-/gingivitis-free and five with caries), who were followed over a period of six months. The results were compared to the clinical assessments of dental specialists, revealing a high correlation between the RF prediction and the clinical classification. Due to the superior sensitivity of the RF model, there was a divergence in the prediction of two caries and four caries-/gingivitis-free subjects. These findings suggest IL-4, IL-13, IL-2-RA, and eotaxin/CCL11 as potential salivary biomarkers for identifying noninvasive caries. Furthermore, we suggest a potential association between JAK/STAT signaling and dental caries onset and progression.

Evaluation of possible biomarkers for caries risk in children 6 to 12 years of age

“…The prevalence and damage generated by these bacteria are influenced by host protective factors, such as immune competence, the production and buffering capacity of saliva, and hygiene and dietary habits [ 5 ]. Mechanisms have been sought to diagnose the risk of caries based on these factors using software such as Cariogram [ 6 ] or through the identification of biomarkers [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. However, a significant amount of new studies are required to evaluate the validity of caries biomarkers, among other things because tooth decay is a multi-factorial disease with genetic, environmental and microbial effects playing a role, and because of a large inter-individual variability that renders the task of finding universal caries markers [ 10 ].…”

Detection of Dental Caries Using Salivary Biomarkers – A Systematic Review

“…All the studies have also managed to produce positive correlation between the salivary protein biomarkers and dental caries. One study included in this review has found 4 reliable salivary markers out of existing potential 44 biomarkers and was discovered to have great promise as classifiers for distinguishing between healthy individuals and caries patients [5]. They were Interleukins IL-4 and IL-13, the interleukin receptor IL-2-RA and the chemokines eotaxin/CCL11 [5].…”

“…One study included in this review has found 4 reliable salivary markers out of existing potential 44 biomarkers and was discovered to have great promise as classifiers for distinguishing between healthy individuals and caries patients [5]. They were Interleukins IL-4 and IL-13, the interleukin receptor IL-2-RA and the chemokines eotaxin/CCL11 [5]. Another included study has found a positive correlation between IL-6 exhibitions with caries prediction [10].…”

“…Salivary components that are genetically controlled may influence both the colonization and removal of microbes from the oral cavity [4]. Saliva is the primary habitat for oral microbes, and saliva microorganisms influence plaque structure and the development of caries lesions is not only driven by microorganisms but also the dietary habits which includes the frequency of carbohydrate intake, pH & stickiness of food debris and host factors such as salivary flow rates, immune responses, genetic predispositions & hygiene measures [5]. Salivary protein is considered as one important factor for monitoring health and illness.…”

Automatic Blob Detection for Dental Caries

“…Paqué et al [15] investigated the potential of salivary bacterial and protein markers for evaluating the disease status in healthy individuals with caries. Saliva samples from caries and gingivitis-free individuals (n = 18), patients with deep caries lesions (n = 38) was collected and analysed for 44 candidate biomarkers namely: selected oral bacteria, growth factors, chemokines and proteolytic enzymes among others.…”