Association between LTF/MMP20/CA6/TAS1R2 polymorphisms and susceptibility to dental caries.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to assess the associations between the LTF, MMP20, CA6, and TAS1R2 polymorphisms and caries in the Zhuang population and explore the underlying mechanism of the impact of lactoferrin on caries susceptibility. METHODS: A case-control study of 315 adolescents was conducted in Guangxi, China, from May-November 2022. Data were collected through oral examinations and questionnaires. Buccal mucosa cells and DNA samples were collected using the SNPscan technique. Saliva and supragingival plaque samples were taken from 69 subjects with various LTF rs10865941 genotypes. The relationships among the LTF rs10865941 polymorphism, lactoferrin, Streptococcus mutans, and caries were investigated by using the ELISA and qRT-PCR, along with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The genotype distribution of the LTF gene were significantly different between the case and control groups (p = 0.018). The case group had lower C allele and greater T allele frequencies than the control group (p = 0.006). The LTF rs10865941 polymorphism was associated with caries in the codominant, dominant, and additive models (p < 0.05). MMP20 rs1784418, CA6 rs2274328, and TAS1R2 rs35874116 were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). A greater quantity of S. mutans. in the supragingival plaque was found in the case group (p = 0.03). There were significant differences between the two groups in both the codominant model and the dominant model (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The LTF rs10865941 polymorphism may be associated with caries susceptibility in the Zhuang population of China. The LTF rs10865941 T allele may be a potential risk factor for dental caries.

Dental caries prevalence and severity positively associate with AMY1 gene copy number.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the possible relation between total caries (TC) and caries severity (CS) with the AMY1 gene copy number (AMY1GCN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, population-based, and association study with 303 participants. Each participant underwent a complete anamnesis and stomatological check-up, and peripheral blood was obtained to extract gDNA. TC and CS were determined as the number of caries at the dental exploration and the number of dental surfaces affected by caries, respectively, and AMY1GCN was determined by qPCR. RESULTS: We found an elevated caries prevalence (92.7%); TC and CS were 8 ± 10 and 10 ± 13 (median ± IR). There were higher TC and CS in those participants with AMY1GCN above the mean value (0.02 and 0.01 p values, respectively). A positive correlation between TC and CS with AMY1GCN (0.11 and 0.125 r values, 0.03 and 0.01 p values, respectively) was found, in addition to an association between TC and CS with AMY1GCN (1.5 and 1.6 OR values, 0.48 and 0.26 p values, respectively). CONCLUSION: TC and CS were positively related to the AMY1GCN. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dental caries has a high prevalence and a multifactorial etiology and has been related to a genetic component. Indeed, the salivary enzyme alpha-amylase could play a significant role in caries susceptibility, considering that its codifying gene (AMY1) can show variation in its gene copy number. This can be considered an important factor for the development of caries at a genetic level.

An association analysis for genetic factors for dental caries susceptibility in a cohort of Chinese children.

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively investigate the effects of 25 variants in 15 genes on dental caries susceptibility in a cohort of Chinese children. METHODS: A total of 25 variants in 15 genes were genotyped with MassARRAY iPLEX system and analyzed in 265 healthy controls and 254 children affected by dental caries with different dmft scores. The children with dental caries were stratified into "mild group" (scores from 1 to 3), "moderate group" (scores from 4 to 6), and "severe group" (scores from 7 to 14). RESULTS: The association analysis revealed that rs11362 of defensin ß1 (DEFB1) was significantly associated with dental caries susceptibility (OR = 2.447, p = 1.165E-04). Furthermore, rs11362 was positively correlated with the severity of dental caries. For another selected variant of DEFB1, rs1799946 was significantly associated with dental caries susceptibility in the severe group (OR = 0.473, p = 3.70E-03) and also significant in the group consisted of moderate and severe subjects (OR = 0.623, p = .033). The results from logistic regression in additive, dominant, and recessive models also exhibited the similar patterns. CONCLUSION: Out of 25 selected variants, only 2 of DEFB1 gene (rs11362 and rs1799946) were significantly associated with dental caries susceptibility in children.

FCN1 polymorphisms are not the markers of dental caries susceptibility in Polish children: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of four FCN1 SNPs: -542G>A (rs10120023), -144C>A (rs10117466), +6658C>T (rs148649884), and +7895A>G (rs150625869) with dental caries in Polish children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 261 15-year-old Polish teenagers: 82 children with "higher" caries experience (having Decayed Missing Filled Teeth, DMFT >5) and 179 children with "lower" caries experience (having DMFT ≤5). Moreover, in additional comparison, a group of 229 children with caries experience (DMFT ≥1) was compared to a caries-free (DMFT =0) group of 32 children. Extraction of genomic DNA was performed from buccal swabs, and genotyping was performed by Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: FCN1 SNPs +6658C>T and +7895A>G appeared to be monomorphic in our sample. The genotype, allele, or haplotype distributions in FCN1 SNPs -542G>A and -144C>A in children with "higher" caries experience did not differ significantly from those in "lower" caries experience group. Similar results with no significant differences were demonstrated for subjects with DMFT ≥1 compared to subjects with DMFT =0. CONCLUSION: FCN1 SNPs are not the markers of dental caries susceptibility in Polish 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.

Novel caries loci in children and adults implicated by genome-wide analysis of families.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a common chronic disease among children and adults alike, posing a substantial health burden. Caries is affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors, and prior studies have found that a substantial proportion of caries susceptibility is genetically inherited. METHODS: To identify such genetic factors, we conducted a genome-wide linkage scan in 464 extended families with 2616 individuals from Iowa, Pennsylvania and West Virginia for three dental caries phenotypes: (1) PRIM: dichotomized as zero versus one or more affected primary teeth, (2) QTOT1: age-adjusted quantitative caries measure for both primary and permanent dentitions including pre-cavitated lesions, and (3) QTOT2: age-adjusted quantitative caries excluding pre-cavitated lesions. Genotyping was conducted for approximately 600,000 SNPs on an Illumina platform, pruned to 127,511 uncorrelated SNPs for the analyses reported here. RESULTS: Multipoint non-parametric linkage analyses generated peak LOD scores exceeding 2.0 for eight genomic regions, but no LOD scores above 3.0 were observed. The maximum LOD score for each of the three traits was 2.90 at 1q25.3 for PRIM, 2.38 at 6q25.3 for QTOT1, and 2.76 at 5q23.3 for QTOT2. Some overlap in linkage regions was observed among the phenotypes. Genes with a potential role in dental caries in the eight chromosomal regions include CACNA1E, LAMC2, ALMS1, STAMBP, GXYLT2, SLC12A2, MEGF10, TMEM181, ARID1B, and, as well as genes in several immune gene families. Our results are also concordant with previous findings from association analyses on chromosomes 11 and 19. CONCLUSIONS: These multipoint linkage results provide evidence in favor of novel chromosomal regions, while also supporting earlier association findings for these data. Understanding the genetic etiology of dental caries will allow designing personalized treatment plans based on an individual's genetic risk of disease.

KLK4 Gene and Dental Decay: Replication in a South Brazilian Population.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to identify and replicate the participation of KLK4 gene polymorphisms in the susceptibility to dental decay. METHODS: A total of 200 patients were recruited using ICDAS criteria - 100 of them with dental caries and 100 with no history of the disease. Buccal cells were collected and the DNA was extracted and amplified using PCR. RESULTS: During the descriptive analysis, the variables ethnicity, biofilm, and gingivitis and the markers rs2242670 and rs2978642 were statistically significant. In the multivariate analysis, the marker rs2242670 and the variable biofilm maintained statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Genetic variations in the KLK4 gene may contribute to dental decay.

Genetic Polymorphisms in DEFB1 and miRNA202 Are Involved in Salivary Human ß-Defensin 1 Levels and Caries Experience in Children.

The antimicrobial peptides human ß-defensins (hBDs) are encoded by ß-defensin genes (DEFBs) and are possibly involved in caries susceptibility. In this study we aimed (1) to investigate the relationship between salivary hBDs and caries and (2) to evaluate the association of genetic polymorphisms in DEFB1 and microRNA202 (miRNA202) with salivary levels of hBDs and caries experience. Two data sets were available for this study, totalizing 678 Brazilian children. Dental examination and saliva collection were performed in all included children. The salivary level for hDB1, hBD2, and hBD4 was assessed by ELISA sandwich technique in 168 children. The DNA was extracted from saliva, and polymorphisms in DEFB1 and miRNA202 were analyzed by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the associations between caries experience, hBD salivary level, genotype, and allele distribution, with an alpha of 0.05. The hBD1 level was significantly higher in caries-free children (p < 0.0001). The miRNA202 was associated with a lower level of salivary hBD1 (p < 0.05). Also, the polymorphic distribution of miRNA202 was associated with caries (p = 0.006). The polymorphisms in DEFB1 were not associated with hBD salivary level and caries experience (p > 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that genetic polymorphism in miRNA202 is involved in hBD1 salivary level as well as caries experience in children.

Association of MBL2 Gene Polymorphism with Dental Caries in Saudi Children.

The high prevalence of dental caries in children worldwide is a major oral health problem which requires early intervention. Dental caries is mainly caused by the action of acids produced by bacteria in addition to many other factors. Recent genetic studies have reported that a number of genes are associated with the susceptibility to dental caries. The majority of these genes are associated with inflammation, increased susceptibility to infection, and dentine matrix formation. Using the TaqMan assay and direct DNA sequencing, the prevalence of 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP9, MBL2, MMP2, and TIMP2 genes was determined in 102 children with caries and in 100 age-matched caries-free controls. Out of the 6 SNPs tested in the 4 selected genes, only rs11003125 in the MBL2 gene was shown to be associated with a high prevalence of caries in our cohort. In addition, haplotype analysis of the 6 SNPs tested revealed that certain haplotypes, namely GT of rs11003125G and rs7501477T and GT of rs7096206G and rs7501477T, were found to be associated with a high prevalence of dental caries in our cohort, while haplotype AG of rs17576A and rs7501477G was found to have a protective effect against dental caries. In conclusion, the data indicate that rs11003125 in the MBL2 gene was shown to be associated with a high prevalence of caries in our cohort, and 2 haplotypes are also involved in the increased susceptibility to dental caries.

Caries and Innate Immunity: DEFB1 Gene Polymorphisms and Caries Susceptibility in Genetic Isolates from North-Eastern Italy.

BACKGROUND: The DEFB1 gene, encoding for the constitutively expressed human ß-defensin 1 (hBD1) antimicrobial peptide is a potential candidate when studying genetic susceptibility to caries. DEFB1 genetic variations have been reported as contributing to hBD1 production impairment, leading to a greater susceptibility to be infected by oral pathogens, also leading to periodontitis. METHODS: We analysed 5 DEFB1 polymorphisms, namely 3 functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), -52G>A (rs1799946), -44C>G (rs1800972), and -20G>A (rs11362), 2 SNPs at the 3'-UTR, c*5G>A (rs1047031) and c*87A>G (rs1800971) SNP located in potential miRNA binding sites, looking for possible correlations with the risk to develop caries in 654 adult subjects from isolated populations of north-eastern Italy. Dental caries prevalence was evaluated with the DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) index, calculated after an accurate oral examination. DEFB1 SNP genotyping was performed with an Illumina 370k high-density SNP array. RESULTS: Two DEFB1 SNPs were significantly associated with the DMFT index: the strongest association emerged from rs11362 SNP (p = 0.008). In particular G/G homozygous individuals showed a higher DMFT index compared to both G/A heterozygous and A/A homozygous individuals; rs1799946 SNP was also significantly associated with DMFT (p = 0.030), and individuals homozygous for the T allele had a higher DMFT value compared to heterozygous C/T and homozygous C/C individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Our study replicated, on a larger number of individuals, previous findings showing the association between two 5'-UTR SNPs in the DEFB1 gene and DMFT, suggesting that these polymorphisms could be considered as potential markers for assessing the risk to develop caries.

DD Genotype of ACE I/D Polymorphism Might Confer Protection against Dental Caries in Polish Children.

The aim of the study was to examine the frequencies of the genotypes and alleles of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and their association with dental caries in a sample of Polish children. The study subjects were 120 children with dental caries experience (cases) and 41 caries-free individuals (controls). The genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction. The genotype distributions of ACE I/D polymorphism were not statistically different between carious and control children. However, we found a borderline overrepresentation of the II + ID genotypes versus the DD genotype in the carious compared to the control group (69.2% and 51.2%, respectively, p = 0.057). Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex revealed that I allele carriage was a significant predictor of dental caries susceptibility (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.02-4.49, p = 0.041). In conclusion, the DD genotype of ACE I/D polymorphism might be protective against dental caries in Polish children.

Association of sweet taste receptor gene polymorphisms with dental caries experience in school children.

Sweet taste is a powerful factor influencing food acceptance. The peripheral taste response to sugar is mediated by the TAS1R2/TAS1R3 taste receptors. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between TAS1R2 (rs35874116 or rs9701796) and/or TAS1R3 (rs307355) single nucleotide polymorphisms with dental caries experience in schoolchildren. A total of 184 schoolchildren aged between 7 and 12 years (101 girls, 83 boys) were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva samples and the genotypes were identified by qPCR. The genotype frequencies were as follows: 6.6% for homozygous wild type, 41.8% for heterozygous and 51.6% for homozygous polymorphic genotype carriers of TAS1R2 gene rs35874116; 27.8% for heterozygous and 72.2% for homozygous polymorphic genotype carriers of TAS1R2 gene rs9701796, and 83.1% for homozygous wild type and 16.9% for heterozygous genotype carriers of TAS1R3 gene rs307355 polymorphism. A significant association was observed between total caries experience (dft + DMFT - decayed filled primary teeth + decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth) and TAS1R2 rs35874116 (p = 0.008) and TAS1R3 rs307355 (p = 0.04) gene polymorphisms but not for TAS1R2 gene rs9701796 polymorphism. TAS1R3 gene rs307355 polymorphism has been found to be an independent risk factor for dental caries experience by logistic regression analysis and to have increased the risk of caries. Moderate caries experience (4-7 caries) was found to be associated with TAS1R3 rs307355 heterozygous genotype, whereas high-risk caries experience (>8 caries) was found to be associated with TAS1R2 rs35874116 homozygous polymorphic genotype.

Lactotransferrin Gene Polymorphism Associated with Caries Experience.

Dental caries is a common multifactorial disease, resulting from the interaction of biofilm, cariogenic diet and host response over time. Lactotransferrin (LTF) is a main salivary glycoprotein, which modulates the host immune-inflammatory and antibacterial response. Although a genetic component for caries outcome has been identified, little is known over the genetic aspects underlying its susceptibility. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between LTF polymorphisms and caries susceptibility. Six hundred seventy seven 12-year-old students were selected: 346 with (DMFT ≥ 1) and 331 without caries experience (DMFT = 0). Also, individuals concentrating higher levels of disease (polarization group, DMFT ≥ 2, n = 253) were tested against those with DMFT ≤ 1 (n = 424). Along with clinical parameters, three representative LTF tag SNPs (rs6441989, rs2073495, rs11716497) were genotyped and the results were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Allele A for tag SNP rs6441989 was found to be significantly less frequent in the polarization group, conferring a protective effect against caries experience [AA + AG × GG (OR: 0.710, 95% CI: 0.514-0.980, p = 0.045)], and remained significantly associated with caries protection in the presence of gingivitis (p = 0.020) and plaque (p = 0.035). These results might contribute to the understanding of the genetic control of caries susceptibility in humans.

GLUT2 and TAS1R2 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Dental Caries.

OBJECTIVE: Dental caries is one of the most frequent multifactorial diseases. Among the numerous factors influencing the risk of caries, genetics plays a substantial role, with heritability ranging from 40 to 60%. Gene variants affecting taste preference and glucose transport were recently associated with caries risk. The aim of this study was to analyze two common polymorphisms in the sweet taste receptor (TAS1R2) and glucose transporter (GLUT2) genes in children with dental caries and healthy controls in the Czech population. METHODS: A total of 637 unrelated Caucasian children, aged 11-13 years, were included in this case-control study. One hundred and fifty-five subjects were caries-free (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, DMFT = 0) and 482 children were caries-affected (DMFT ≥ 1). The TAS1R2 (Ile191Val, rs35874116) and GLUT2 (Thr110Ile, rs5400) genotypes were determined using the 5' nuclease TaqMan® assay for allelic discrimination. RESULTS: Compared with subjects with the common Thr allele, carriers of the Ile allele of GLUT2 had significantly more frequently dental caries (p < 0.05, OR = 1.639, 95% CI: 1.089-2.466). Similarly, children with the Val allele for the TAS1R2 Ile191Val polymorphism were more frequently affected by caries than children who carried the Ile allele (p < 0.05, OR = 1.413, 95% CI: 1.014-1.969). In contrast, no significant associations between GLUT2 and/or TAS1R2 polymorphisms and fillings were found, but allele frequencies of the TAS1R2 variant were marginally significantly different between children with DMFT = 0 and DMFT ≥1 (p = 0.053, OR = 1.339, 95% CI: 0.996-1.799). However, no significant interaction between both genes and risk of dental caries was found. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, GLUT2 and TASR1 polymorphisms may influence the risk of caries in the Czech population.

Genetic susceptibility to dental caries differs between the sexes: a family-based study.

Many of the factors affecting susceptibility to dental caries are likely influenced by genetics. In fact, genetics accounts for up to 65% of inter-individual variation in dental caries experience. Sex differences in dental caries experience have been widely reported, with females usually exhibiting a higher prevalence and severity of disease across all ages. The cause for this sex bias is currently uncertain, although it may be partly due to the differential effects of genetic factors between the sexes: gene-by-sex interactions. In this family based study (N = 2,663; 740 families; ages 1-93 years), we assessed dental caries via intra-oral examination and generated six indices of caries experience (DMFS, dfs, and indices of both pit-and-fissure surface caries and smooth surface caries in both primary and permanent dentitions). We used likelihood-based methods to model the variance in caries experience conditional on the expected genetic sharing among relatives in our sample. This modeling framework allowed us to test two lines of evidence for gene-by-sex interactions: (1) whether the magnitude of the cumulative effect of genes differs between the sexes, and (2) whether different genes are involved. We observed significant evidence of gene-by-sex interactions for caries experience in both the primary and permanent dentitions. In the primary dentition, the magnitude of the effect of genes was greater in males than females. In the permanent dentition, different genes may play important roles in each of the sexes. Overall, this study provides the first direct evidence that sex differences in dental caries experiences may be explained, in part, by gene-by-sex interactions.

Genetic polymorphisms in the carbonic anhydrase VI gene and dental caries susceptibility.

We investigated the role of 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the carbonic anhydrase (CA) VI gene (rs2274328, rs17032907, rs11576766, rs2274333, rs10864376, rs3765964, and rs6680186) and the possible association between these polymorphisms and dental caries susceptibility in a Northwestern Chinese population. We collected samples from 164 high caries experience and 191 very low caries experience and conducted a case-control study according to the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth index and genotyped the 7 polymorphisms using a 384-well plate format with the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Individuals carrying the rs17032907 TT genotype were more likely to have an increased risk of dental caries compared with carriers of the C/C genotype in the co-dominant model, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.144 (1.096-4.195). We also found that the haplotype (ACA) (rs2274328, rs17032907 and rs11576766) was associated with a low number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth index with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.635 (0.440-0.918). However, we found no association between dental caries susceptibility and the rs2274328, rs11576766, rs2274333, rs10864376, rs3765964, and rs6680186 polymorphisms and other haplotypes. The rs17032907 genetic variant and the haplotype (ACA) of CA VI may be associated with dental caries susceptibility.

Genetic polymorphisms of the sortase A gene and social-behavioural factors associated with caries in children: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the primary etiological agent of dental caries. Sortase is a transpeptidase that anchors several surface proteins to the S. mutans cell wall and has been shown to play a major role in cariogenicity. The purpose of this study was to explore the genetic polymorphisms of the sortase gene (srtA) and the social-behavioural factors associated with dental caries in children with S. mutans. METHODS: In this case-control study, 121 S. mutans strains were separately selected from caries-free children and high-severity caries children for sequencing of the srtA gene. Social and behavioural data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Genomic DNA was extracted from S. mutans strains and amplified by PCR to obtain the srtA gene. The purified PCR products were sequenced and analysed for mutations with ABI Variant Reporter software. The distribution of missense mutations and the mean of social-behavioural factors were compared between the groups. A multiple logistic regression model was used to control for confounding factors. RESULTS: The mutation frequencies at loci 168 (P = 0.023) and 470 (P = 0.032) were significantly different between the groups. The best-fitting model showed that greater age, high frequencies of solid sugar consumption, prolonged breastfeeding, a high proportion of visible plaque, and S. mutans with a T at locus 168 of the srtA gene were associated with high-severity caries in children (P < 0.05). Children carrying a G at locus 168 of S. mutans had a decreased risk for high-severity caries (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.12-0.86) compared with those carrying a T. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that the locus 168 missense mutation of the srtA gene may correlate with caries susceptibility in children with S. mutans. In addition, age, duration of breastfeeding, solid sugar consumption, and poor oral hygiene contributed to this complex disease.

Association of Amelogenin with High Caries Experience in Indian Children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify alterations in amelogenin gene that are associated with dental caries susceptibility and to develop a non-invasive early screening test for caries risk. STUDY DESIGN: 60 individuals were selected for the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were divided into two groups based on DMFT score. DMFT was scored according to World Health Organization guidelines. Saliva obtained from all participants was stored in Indogenix DNA Self-Collection kits at 4°C. DNA was extracted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once the entire DNA was isolated from each sample it was put forward for PCR amplification. The amplified amelogenin gene was then run on 2% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. The amplified gene was processed by SSCP technique to find out the altered bands and then subjected to DNA sequencing for identification of alterations in the amino acid sequence of amelogenin gene. RESULTS: The sequencing data showed the presence of mutation. Samples showing mutation (43.3%) showed high correlation with caries (80.7%) experience which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Understanding the genetics of dental caries susceptibility will provide new insights into the caries process in individuals and will facilitate the development of targeted preventive strategies.

Caries: review of human genetics research.

The NIH Consensus Development Program released a statement in 2001 (http://consensus.nih.gov/2001/2001DentalCaries115html.htm) and listed six major clinical caries research directions. One of these directions was the need for genetic studies to identify genes and genetic markers of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value. This last decade has seen a steep increase in studies investigating the presence of genetic factors influencing individual susceptibility to caries. This review revisits recent caries human genetic studies and provides a perspective for future studies in order to fulfil their promise of revolutionizing our understanding of and the standard of care for the most prevalent bacteria-mediated non-contagious disease in the world.

Lack of association between lactotransferrin polymorphism and dental caries.

OBJECTIVE: Dental caries is a complex, multifactorial disease and one of the most common illnesses worldwide. Its etiology is related to microbial, dietary and host factors. Recent evidence suggests a role of lactotransferrin (LTF) in caries. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between LTF gene polymorphism and dental caries. METHODS: In this case-control study, 637 unrelated children, aged 11-13 years, were enrolled. The subjects were divided into two groups, i.e. caries-free (decayed/missing/filled teeth = 0) and caries-affected children (decayed/missing/filled teeth ≥ 1). The LTF rs1126478 (140A/G in exon 2, Lys/Arg) genotypes were determined by PCR with restriction analysis using the EarI enzyme. RESULTS: Of 637 children, 155 (24.3%) were caries free. There were no statistically significant differences between caries levels and allele or genotype distributions in the total cohort. When the caries-affected group (n = 482) was stratified into low (decayed/missing/filled teeth = 1), moderate (2 ≤ decayed/missing/filled teeth ≤ 3) and high (decayed/missing/filled teeth ≥ 4) caries experience, allele and genotype frequencies were similar among all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The LTF 140A/G (exon 2, Lys/Arg) polymorphism was not associated with the susceptibility to or severity of dental caries in the Czech population.