title: [Saliva as a main component of oral cavity ecosystem. Part II. Defense mechanisms].
abstract: Human saliva not only lubricates the oral cavity, making possible functions such as swallowing and speaking, but it also helps to maintain integrity of the hard tissues of the teeth. In addition to secretory immunoglobulins saliva contains several less specific antibacterial systems. This innate defense system includes: lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase system, histatins, mucins, and other polypeptides with basic side chains. Some proteins of innate defense system have bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects; some can cause aggregation of oral bacteria resulting in their increased clearance from oral cavity.
authors.affiliation: Zakładu Stomatologii Dzieciqcej, Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku.
authors.forename: Anna K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jankowska
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waszkiel
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobus
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zwierz
mesh_terms: D044622:Dental Pellicle / Q000276:immunology; D054808:Histatins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000276:immunology*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000502:physiology; D009055:Mouth / Q000276:immunology*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000502:physiology; D009077:Mucins / Q000502:physiology; D009113:Muramidase / Q000502:physiology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D014070:Tooth / Q000502:physiology; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D054808:Histatins; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D009077:Mucins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D009195:Peroxidase; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D009113:Muramidase; D007781:Lactoferrin