Lack of association between lactotransferrin polymorphism and dental caries.
OBJECTIVE
Dental caries is a complex, multifactorial disease and one of the most common illnesses worldwide. Its etiology is related to microbial, dietary and host factors. Recent evidence suggests a role of lactotransferrin (LTF) in caries. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between LTF gene polymorphism and dental caries.


METHODS
In this case-control study, 637 unrelated children, aged 11-13 years, were enrolled. The subjects were divided into two groups, i.e. caries-free (decayed/missing/filled teeth = 0) and caries-affected children (decayed/missing/filled teeth ≥ 1). The LTF rs1126478 (140A/G in exon 2, Lys/Arg) genotypes were determined by PCR with restriction analysis using the EarI enzyme.


RESULTS
Of 637 children, 155 (24.3%) were caries free. There were no statistically significant differences between caries levels and allele or genotype distributions in the total cohort. When the caries-affected group (n = 482) was stratified into low (decayed/missing/filled teeth = 1), moderate (2 ≤ decayed/missing/filled teeth ≤ 3) and high (decayed/missing/filled teeth ≥ 4) caries experience, allele and genotype frequencies were similar among all subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
The LTF 140A/G (exon 2, Lys/Arg) polymorphism was not associated with the susceptibility to or severity of dental caries in the Czech population.
Clinic of Stomatology, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
M
M
Volckova
P Borilova
PB
Linhartova
T
T
Trefna
J
J
Vlazny
K
K
Musilova
M
M
Kukletova
L
L
Kukla
L Izakovicova
LI
Holla
D000225:Adenine; D000293:Adolescent; D001120:Arginine / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018153:Czech Republic; D004245:DMF Index; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000145:classification; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000235:genetics*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000235:genetics; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006147:Guanine; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000235:genetics*; D008239:Lysine / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
C490098:LTF protein, human; D006147:Guanine; D001120:Arginine; D007781:Lactoferrin; D000225:Adenine; D008239:Lysine