Fibronectin levels in stimulated whole-saliva and their relationship with cariogenic oral bacteria.
OBJECTIVE
Fibronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein that plays a fundamental role in mechanism of cellular union and in bacterial adhesion in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to test the clinical relationship between fibronectin concentration in stimulated whole-saliva and the number of Mutans streptococci bacteria.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 167 children aged 12 years.


METHODS
Saliva samples were collected from the subjects. Bacterial quantification was carried out using a semiquantitative method (Dentocult SM, Vivadent). Fibronectin was measured by the ELISA method with modifications.


RESULTS
An inverse clinical relation was found between the levels of soluble fibronectin and the number of SM colony forming units.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial counts sufficiently high to destroy the protein films increase bacterial binding to dental surfaces, thereby contributing to the regulation of bacterial plaque composition and its pathogenic potential. This capacity of glycoproteins to reduce the adhesion of microorganisms to the oral tissues and favour macrophage action supports the hypothesis that such proteins contribute to the first line of immune defence together with secretory antibodies.
Llena-Puy
M C
MC
Montañana-Llorens
C
C
Forner-Navarro
L
L
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002648:Child; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology
D005353:Fibronectins