Salivary protein characteristics from saliva of carious lesion-free and high caries adults

It has been argued that specific salivary proteins could have a protective effect against caries, but data from the many available studies are rather contradictory. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether there is a relationship between protein concentration, electrophoretic profile and concentration of salivary IgA and the presence or absence of caries in adults. Adults with high caries activity (HC) and without caries lesions (CF), assessed by ICDAS criteria, were asked to provide unstimulated saliva samples. Protein concentration (μg/mL) was determined using the Bradford method. Western blotting was used to detect IgA. Data were compared using Student’s t test at p<0.05. Total protein concentration in CF was higher (50.65±7.5 μg/mL) than in HC individuals (26.80±2.5 μg/mL) (p=0.001). More protein bands were visualized in the gels from CF than the HC group (p=0.001). CF subjects showed higher salivary IgA concentration (11.27±0.5 μg) than HC individuals (1.71±0.2μg) (p=0.001).Salivary composition in high caries experience and cariesfree young adults seems to differ in terms of the type and amount of proteins. Further research is needed to expand these findings.

Se ha descrito que proteínas salivales específicas podrían tener un efecto protector sobre la caries, sin embargo, los datos de los numerosos estudios disponibles son contradictorios. El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar si existe una relación entre la concentración total de proteínas, perfil electroforético y la concentración de IgA salival y la presencia o ausencia de lesiones de caries en adultos. Se obtuvieron muestras de flujo salival no estimulado de adultos con alta actividad de caries (HC) y sin lesiones de caries (CF), evaluados según criterios ICDAS. La concentración total de proteínas (mg / ml) se determinó utilizando el método de Bradford. Para detección de IgA se empleó Western Blot. Los datos se compararon mediante la prueba t student, estableciendo diferencias significativas si p<0,05. La concentración total de proteínas en CF fue mayor (50,65 ± 7,5 mg / ml) que en individuos HC (26,80 ± 2,5 mg / ml) (p=0,001). En los geles, se visualizó un mayor número de bandas de proteínas en CF que en el grupo HC (p=0,001). Los Sujetos CF mostraron mayor concentración de IgA salival (11,27 ± 0,5 μg) que los individuos HC (1,71 ± 0,2 μg) (p=0,001). La composición salival de sujetos adultos jóvenes con alta experiencia y libres de caries, parece ser diferente en función del tipo y la cantidad de proteínas. Se requiere de más investigación para profundizar estos resultados.

The role of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in vivo: studies with IL-5 deficient mice

Eosinophil recruitment is a characteristic feature of a number of pathological conditions and was the topic of the recent International Symposium on allergic inflammation, asthma, parasitic and infectious diseases (Rio de Janeiro, June 3-5, 1996). Since interleukin-5 (IL-5) is believed to regulate the gowth, differentiation and activation of eosinophils (Conffman et al. 1989, Sanderson 1992), the role of eosinophils and IL-5 are closely linked. Although IL-5 specifically regulates eosinophilia in vivo and this is its most well established activity, it is becoming clear that IL-5 also has other biological effects. The recent derivation of an IL-5 deficient mouse (Kopf et al. 1996), provides a model for exploring not only the role of IL-5 and eosinophils but also other novel activities of IL-5. Of note is that although the IL-5 deficient mice cannot elicit a pronounced eosinophilia in response of inflammatory stimulation following aeroallergen challenge or parasite infection they still produce basal levels of eosinophils that appear to be morphologically and functionally normal. However, the basal levels of eosinophils appear insufficient for normal host defense as IL-5 deficiency has been shown to compromise defence against several helminth infections. In addition, IL-5 deficient mice appear to have functional deficiencies in B-1 B lymphocytes and in IgA production.