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MMP13 polymorphism decreases risk for dental caries
P N Tannure1, E C Küchler, P Falagan-Lotsch
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Caries Research
|June 20, 2012
Summary
Genetic variations in MMP13 may influence caries susceptibility in children and adolescents. Mutant allele carriers for MMP13 showed a decreased risk for dental caries, highlighting gene-environment interactions.
Area of Science:
- Oral health genetics
- Dental caries research
- Biomolecular mechanisms of tooth decay
Background:
- Individual susceptibility to dental caries may be understood through genetic factors.
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors are implicated in the caries process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between polymorphisms in MMP2, MMP9, MMP13, and TIMP2 genes and caries experience in children and adolescents.
- To determine if specific genetic variations influence susceptibility to dental caries.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 505 children and adolescents.
- Data collection via questionnaires on oral health habits and clinical examination for caries.
- Genotyping of MMP2 (rs243865), MMP9 (rs17576), MMP13 (rs2252070), and TIMP2 (rs7501477) polymorphisms using real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in allele frequencies for MMP2, MMP13, and TIMP2 between caries-affected and caries-free individuals.
- A significant association was found for MMP13 (p = 0.004), with mutant allele carriers showing a decreased risk for caries (OR = 0.538).
- No significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies for MMP9 were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Genetic variations in MMP13 may play a role in determining individual differences in caries susceptibility.
- The findings support the concept that dental caries susceptibility arises from complex gene-environment interactions.
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