Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DENT 5302
Topics in Dental Biochemistry
Dr. Joel Rudney
Clinical Importance
Demographic change - the number of elderly will increase
Implications:
Increases in diseases affecting salivary glands
Sjogren's syndrome, other autoimmune diseases,
Head and neck cancer (radiation therapy)
Increased use of medications with effects on saliva
Anticholinergic (antihistamines, antidepressants)
• Reduced flow - indirect/direct effects on proteins
Beta adrenergic agonists and antagonists
• Direct effects on protein synthesis/secretion
• (asthma, hypertension, cardiovascular disease)
Salivary protein therapies
Current artificial salivas replace mainly fluids, ions
Genetically-engineered human salivary proteins soon
Raised from seed
Which ones go in artificial saliva? How much to add?
Already toothpastes/rinses containing saliva proteins
Biotène™ (peroxidase, lysozyme lactoferrin)
Histatin rinses/gels in trials
Clinicians will need to be able to evaluate new products
Origins of salivary proteins
Different secretory cells in different glands
Serous acinar - water, ions, proteins
Most in parotid, less in SM/SL
Mucus acinar - complex glycoproteins
Only SM/SL and minor glands
Different proteins emphasized in different glands
Duct cells also secrete proteins - differs among glands
Immune system cells contribute proteins
B cell product (S-IgA) translocated into ducts
Neutrophils - indirect leakage into gingival crevice
Leakage from gingival fluid contributes serum proteins (WS only)
Oral epithelial cells release surface proteins (whole saliva only)
Functions - Protect tissues
Protect oral surfaces by forming pellicle
Statherin, acidic proline-rich proteins, amylase, histatins,
cystatins, MUC7 mucin, lysozyme, albumin
Swallowing - MUC5B
Functions - Manage Microbes
Antimicrobial functions (bacteria, fungi, viruses)