Mucins MUC5B and MUC7 in minor salivary gland secretion of children and adults.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to investigate the relative amount of MUC5B and MUC7 in minor salivary glands in children and adults, in order to test the hypothesis that secretion of salivary mucins changes between childhood and adulthood.


METHODS
Ninety individuals in the age-groups 3-year-olds, 14-year-olds, and young adults 20-25 year-olds were recruited. Sialopapers were applied on the labial and the buccal mucosa and then placed in the Periotron 8,000 (Proflow ) for calculation of the amount of saliva. The assessment of MUC5B and MUC7 was carried out in an ELISA using the LUM5B-2 and the LUM7-1 antiserum, respectively.


RESULTS
MUC5B and MUC7 were detected in the labial minor gland saliva in all age groups. In buccal gland saliva, only a few individuals in each age group showed detectable amounts of the mucins. In the labial area, a significantly lower level of MUC7 was noted in 3-year-olds compared with adults.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate a site-dependent difference in minor gland mucin secretion and an age-related difference in the labial gland secretion of MUC7.
Sonesson
M
M
Faculty of Odonthology, Malmö University, SE-205 06 Malmö, Sweden. mikael.sonesson@mah.se
Wickström
C
C
Kinnby
B
B
Ericson
D
D
Matsson
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055257:Mucin-5B / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012472:Salivation; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
C083238:MUC7 protein, human; D055257:Mucin-5B; D009077:Mucins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides