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Biomarkers for Lifetime Caries-Free Status
Ariana M Kelly1, Mariana Bezamat1, Adriana Modesto1
1School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Journal of Personalized Medicine
|January 5, 2021
Summary
Genetic variations in enamel-formation genes may protect against severe dental caries. Specific gene variants in matrix metallopeptidase 20 (MMP20) and tuftelin interacting protein 11 (TFIP11) are associated with remaining caries-free throughout life.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Dentistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Dental caries is a common disease with severe outcomes like tooth loss.
- Genetic factors are increasingly recognized for their role in oral health.
- Enamel formation genes are critical for tooth integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between genetic variations in enamel-formation genes and extreme dental caries outcomes.
- To test the hypothesis that specific gene polymorphisms contribute to caries susceptibility or resistance.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 330 individuals was selected from 6206 scanned participants.
- Phenotypes included edentulism by age 30, premature molar loss, and caries-free status.
- Fourteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in enamel-related genes were genotyped using TaqMan chemistry.
- Statistical analyses were performed using PLINK software.
Main Results:
- Nominal associations were observed between specific SNPs in enamelin (ENAM), matrix metallopeptidase 20 (MMP20), and tuftelin interacting protein 11 (TFIP11) and being caries-free by age 60.
- SNPs rs12640848 (ENAM, p=0.05) and rs1784418 (MMP20, p=0.02) showed associations with caries-free status.
- TFIP11 SNP rs5997096 also showed a nominal association with being caries-free.
- No significant associations were found for severe caries phenotypes like missing mandibular molars.
Conclusions:
- Genetic variations in TFIP11, MMP20, and ENAM may confer a protective effect against dental caries.
- These gene variants could increase the likelihood of maintaining a caries-free dentition throughout life.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind these genetic associations.
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