Lack of association between lactotransferrin polymorphism and dental caries

Genes and SNPs in the pathway of immune response and caries risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool the data on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune response genes associated with dental caries. Nineteen studies were included in the review and 18 in the meta-analysis. Twenty-two SNPs were evaluated, which are linked to six different genes (MBL2, LFT, MASP2, DEFB1, FCN2 and MUC5B). Most SNPs (81.8%) are related to the possible functional impact on protein coding. The MBL2 gene was associated with caries experience in the analysis of the homozygote (OR = 2.12 CI95%[1.12-3.99]) and heterozygote (OR = 2.22 CI95%[1.44-3.44]) genotypes. The MUC5B gene was associated according to an analysis of the heterozygous genotype (OR = 1.83 CI95%[1.08-3.09]). Thus, SNPs related to immune response genes are linked to the phenotype of caries experience. Although the meta-analysis showed that the genes MBL2 and MUC5B were associated with caries, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the quality of the evidence.

Lack of associations between lactoferrin (LTF) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility

Objective

With the development of human genomics, the genetic factors associated with dental caries have receiving increasing attention. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between lactoferrin (LTF) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dental caries susceptibility in Chinese children.

Methods

This prospective case–control study included 360 unrelated children (aged 12–15 years) who received oral health examinations and questionnaire surveys. The children were divided into two groups by counting the numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft): case group (n = 162, DMFT/dmft ≥ 1) and control group (n = 198, DMFT/dmft = 0); non-invasive saliva samples were collected to extract genomic DNA. Six SNPs (rs2073495C/G, rs1042073C/T, rs10865941C/T, and rs1126477A/G in LTF; rs7096206C/G and rs7095891G/A in MBL2) were tested by mass spectrometry.

Results

The study included 360 individuals with (85 boys and 77 girls) and without a history of caries (96 boys and 102 girls). There were no statistically significant differences in alleles and genotypes among the six SNPs between the two groups.

Conclusion

There is no evidence that polymorphisms of LTF and MBL2 genes are associated with dental caries susceptibility in populations from northwest China; further confirmation is needed with larger sample sizes.

The association between genetic variants in lactotransferrin and dental caries: a meta- and gene-based analysis

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of dental caries remains unclear, with increasing evidence suggesting that genetic susceptibility plays an essential role. Previous studies have reported the association between genetic polymorphisms in lactotransferrin (LTF) and the risk of dental caries with inconsistent results.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, HuGE and Google Scholar databases was performed by two authors independently for papers published before December 5, 2019 on the association between genetic variants in LTF and the risk of dental caries. We adopted the subsequent inclusion criteria to assess study eligibility: 1) The studies were based on human subjects; 2) the presence of dental caries should be screened for in both the case group and the control group; and 3) genotype data on variants in LTF were available in both the case group and the control group. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using random-effects models to assess the association of genetic variants in LTF with the risk of dental caries. We also performed a gene-based analysis to explore the joint association of multiple genetic variants in LTF with the risk of dental caries.

RESULTS

Our systematic literature search identified six relevant papers for analysis. We found no significant association between rs1126478 and the risk of dental caries when meta-analysing the genotype distribution between subjects with dental caries and those without dental caries (additive model: OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 0.98-2.02; P = 0.065). However, further analysis indicated that rs1126478 was associated with dental risk in subjects who had moderate or severe dental caries compared to those without dental caries (P < 0.0001). The gene-based analysis indicated that multiple genetic variants in LTF were jointly associated with the risk of dental caries (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis revealed some evidence of the association between rs1126478 and dental caries and that multiple genetic variants in LTF are jointly associated with the risk of dental caries. Our findings need to be validated by larger studies that adjust for important confounding factors for the risk of dental caries.

Matrix metalloproteinases gene variants and dental caries in Czech children

Background

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in tooth formation and the mineralization of dental tissue. The aim of the study was to analyse Czech children with primary/permanent dentition polymorphisms in those genes encoding MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, MMP13, MMP16, and MMP20, which had been previously associated with dental caries in other populations.

Methods

In total, 782 Czech children were included in this case-control study. DNA samples were taken from 474 subjects with dental caries (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, DMFT ≥ 1) and 155 caries free children (DMFT = 0) aged 13–15 years, as well as 101 preschool children with early childhood caries (ECC, dmft ≥ 1) and 52 caries free children (dmft = 0), were analyzed for nine MMPs single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using real time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan assays.

Results

There were no significant differences in the allele and/or genotype frequencies of all the studied MMPs SNPs among children with dental caries in primary/permanent dentition and the healthy controls (P > 0.05). In addition, similar allele or genotype frequencies of the studied MMPs SNPs were found in children with severe dental caries in their permanent teeth (children with DMFT ≥ 6) and the healthy controls (DMFT = 0, P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the lack of association between the selected SNPs in candidate genes of MMPs and the susceptibility to or severity of dental caries in both primary and permanent dentitions in Czech children.

Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Background

This meta-analysis evaluated the association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility.

Methods

We searched the Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to retrieve articles published by October 2019. Review Manager 5.3 software was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results of publication bias tests were retrieved by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2.0 software.

Results

A total of 150 relevant records were identified; out of which, 16 were entered into the analysis (4 studies assessed LTF, 11 ENAM, and 11 AMELX polymorphisms). Of all polymorphisms, there was a significant association only between ENAM rs3796704 polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility. Both ENAM rs3796704 and AMELX rs17878486 polymorphisms had a significant association with dental caries risk in the Caucasian ethnicity and the studies including caries-free control group.

Conclusions

The results of this meta-analysis showed that the G allele and the GG genotype of ENAM rs3796704 were associated with an increased risk of caries in the case group compared with the control group. But there was no association between LTF rs1126478, ENAM (rs1264848 and rs3796703), and AMELX (rs946252, rs17878486, and rs2106416) polymorphisms and dental caries susceptibility.

Dental caries: Genetic and protein interactions

OBJECTIVE

To present a genetic and protein interaction analysis associated with dental caries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The first step was to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) through an electronic database search. Case-controls that reported associations between genes and dental caries were the main type of study design used as inclusion criteria, retrieved from the PubMed and the Virtual Health Library databases, comprising the chronological range from 1982 to 2017. The SLR was guided by PRISMA protocol and the methodological quality of the studies was established through Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). In the second step, the String Protein Interaction (SPI) approach was used to analyze protein interaction (by esyN software) and also the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to check biological pathways associated with dental caries genes.

RESULTS

A total of 51 articles were included to perform this SLR, describing a number of 27 genes associated with dental caries development. At the genetic level, 23 genes have at least one other gene with which they interact. The genes TUFT1, VDR, TFIP11, LTF, HLA-DRB1, MMP2, MMP3 and MUC5B were shown to be connected in interactive networks by at least 10 other genes.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to apprehend the multifactorial pattern of inheritance in human disease. This study presents pathways which may be directly correlated with several dental caries phenotype and this contributes to a better understanding of this disease, opening up a wider range of biotechnology options for its effective control in the future.

Lack of association between LTF gene polymorphisms and different caries status in primary dentition

OBJECTIVE

Dental caries is related to cariogenic bacteria, salivary components, oral hygiene and host susceptibility. Lactoferrin is an important antimicrobial glycoprotein in saliva; however, the role of the LTF gene in caries susceptibility is unclear. We investigated the association between LTF polymorphisms and the severity of caries.

DESIGN

Our study included 910 healthy paediatric subjects (aged 24-48 months) categorised into three groups: 403 with no caries or white-spot lesions; 230 with moderate caries (8 ≤ dmft ≤ 12); and 277 with severe caries (13 ≤ dmft ≤ 20). Information regarding the subjects' oral habits was gathered using questionnaires. The LTF rs1126477 and rs1126478 polymorphism alleles were genotyped by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

The three groups showed no significant differences in LTF polymorphisms alleles, genotypes or haplotypes distribution. Multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis showed that the interactions between breastfeeding for a duration >24 months, night feeding >24 months and high frequency of sweet food intake increased the risk of caries (p = 0.0014); however, we detected no interaction effect between the LTF polymorphisms and oral habits on caries susceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS

The LTF rs1126477 and rs1126478 polymorphisms showed no association with the different levels of caries risk in our Chinese paediatric cohort.

Lack of association between ENAM gene polymorphism and dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in Czech children

OBJECTIVES

The enamelin gene (ENAM) polymorphism (rs12640848) was recently associated with dental caries in primary teeth in Polish children. The aims of the present study were to prove this association in primary dentition and to find a possible effect of this variant on caries development in permanent dentition in Czech children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study comprised 905 Czech children. Totally, 187 children aged 2-6 years with primary dentition [78 healthy subjects (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, dmft = 0) and 109 patients with early childhood caries (ECC; dmft ≥ 1)] were included in this case-control study. In addition, 177 subjects aged 13-15 years without caries (DMFT = 0) and 541 children with dental caries (DMFT ≥ 1) in permanent dentition were selected from the ELSPAC study. Genotype determination of the ENAM polymorphism (rs12640848) was based on the TaqMan method.

RESULTS

No significant differences in the allele or genotype frequencies between the caries-free children and those affected by dental caries were observed in both primary and permanent dentitions.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of association between the ENAM polymorphism (rs12640848) and dental caries in Czech children was detected.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although ENAM is considered as a candidate gene for dental caries, the presence of the ENAM variant (rs12640848) cannot be used as a risk factor of this multifactorial disease in the Czech population.

Lack of Association between BMP2/DLX3 Gene Polymorphisms and Dental Caries in Primary and Permanent Dentitions

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between BMP2 (rs1884302) and DLX3 (rs2278163) gene polymorphisms and dental caries in primary and permanent dentitions. A total of 914 subjects were genotyped by the TaqMan methods: 176 caries-free children (with Decayed/Missing/Filled Teeth, DMFT = 0), 542 patients with dental caries in permanent dentition (DMFT ≥1), 83 caries-free children with primary teeth (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, dmft = 0), and 113 children with early childhood caries (ECC, dmft ≥1). There were no significant differences in allele/genotype frequencies between patients with caries in permanent dentition/ECC and caries-free children or between patients with very low (DMFT = 0-2), low (DMFT = 3-5), moderate (DMFT = 6-8), or high (DMFT ≥9) caries experience. Variability in BMP2 and DLX3 was not associated with caries in the Czech population.

The association of Enamelin, Lactoferrin, and Tumour necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphisms with high caries susceptibility in Chinese children under 4 years old

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the role of ENAM rs3796703, LTF rs1126478, and TNF-α rs1800629 in high caries susceptibility.

DESIGN

The present case-control study included 1005 unrelated children under 4 years old: 505 with severe caries (dmft index ≥4) and 500 who were caries-free (dmft index=0 and without white-spot lesions). Questionnaires were obtained from parents and gardians about the children's diet and oral behavioural habits. All the children received dental examinations and oral swabbing for human genomic DNA collection. ENAM rs3796703, LTF rs1126478, and TNF-α rs1800629 were genotyped by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

The frequency of the ENAM rs3796703T allele (6.7% in the caries group and 4.2% in the caries-free group), CT genotype (12.7% in the caries group and 8.4% in the caries-free group), TNF-α rs1800629 A allele (4.8% in the caries group and 6.8% in the caries-free group), and AG genotype (8.7% in the caries group and 13.2% in the caries-free group) were significantly different between the caries and caries-free groups (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the LTF rs1126478 allele frequency and genotype distribution between the two groups. The ENAM rs3796703 CT genotype increased caries susceptibility by 60.9% compared to the CC genotype (β=0.746, OR=1.609), and the TNF-α rs1800629 AG genotype reduced caries susceptibility by 47.4% compared to the GG genotype (β=-0.642, OR=0.526). In terms of habits covariates, prolongation of night feeding time by 1 month increased caries susceptibility by 3.3% (β=0.033, OR=1.033); additionally, sweets and acidic drinks consumption 1-2 times per day increased caries susceptibility by 218.2% (β=1.158, OR=3.182), and consumption 3 or more times pe/r day increased susceptibility by 883.5% (β=2.286, OR=9.835) compared to non-consumption. Topical fluoride application decreased caries susceptibility by 43.0% (β=-0.562, OR=0.570).

CONCLUSIONS

The ENAM and TNF-α genes are likely associated with caries experience in Chinese children. The ENAM rs3796703 CT genotype might be involved in caries susceptibility, while TNF-α rs1800629 AG genotype might be involved in caries protection.

Vitamin D Receptor TaqI Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries in Czech Children

AIM

We analyzed the VDR TaqI (rs731236) gene polymorphism in children with and those without dental caries.

METHODS

A total of 388 subjects, 153 caries-free (with decayed/missing/filled teeth [DMFT] = 0) and 235 children with dental caries (DMFT ≥1), were genotyped by the TaqMan method.

RESULTS

Although no significant differences in VDR TaqI allele and genotype frequencies between caries-free and caries-affected children were detected, a significant association between this polymorphism and gingivitis was found (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to previous studies from China and Turkey, the VDR TaqI gene variant cannot be used as a marker for identification of Czech children with increased dental caries risk.

ACE Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism Associated with Caries in Permanent but Not Primary Dentition in Czech Children

OBJECTIVE

Dental caries is a multifactorial, infectious disease where genetic predisposition plays an important role. Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has very recently been associated with caries in Polish children. The aim of this study was to analyze ACE I/D polymorphism in a group of caries-free children versus subjects affected by dental caries in the Czech population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, 182 caries-free children (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, DMFT = 0), 561 subjects with dental caries (DMFT ≥1) aged 13-15 years and 220 children aged 2-6 years with early childhood caries (ECC, dmft ≥1) were included. Genotype determination of ACE I/D polymorphism in intron 16 was based on the TaqMan method.

RESULTS

Although no significant differences in the allele or genotype frequencies between the caries-free children and those affected by dental caries were observed, statistically significant differences between the children with DMFT = 0 and the subgroup of 179 patients with high caries experience (DMFT ≥4; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) were detected. The comparison of DD versus II+ID genotype frequencies between the patients with DMFT ≥1 or DMFT ≥4 and healthy children also showed significant differences (31.5% or 35.6% vs. 23.6%, p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, respectively). A gender-based analysis identified a significant difference in the DD versus II+ID genotype frequencies only in girls (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant association of ACE I/D polymorphism with ECC in young children was found (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ACE I/D polymorphism may be associated with caries in permanent but not primary dentition, especially in girls in the Czech population.