title: The association of Enamelin, Lactoferrin, and Tumour necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphisms with high caries susceptibility in Chinese children under 4 years old.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the role of ENAM rs3796703, LTF rs1126478, and TNF-α rs1800629 in high caries susceptibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present case-control study included 1005 unrelated children under 4 years old: 505 with severe caries (dmft index ≥4) and 500 who were caries-free (dmft index=0 and without white-spot lesions). Questionnaires were obtained from parents and gardians about the children's diet and oral behavioural habits. All the children received dental examinations and oral swabbing for human genomic DNA collection. ENAM rs3796703, LTF rs1126478, and TNF-α rs1800629 were genotyped by Sanger sequencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of the ENAM rs3796703T allele (6.7% in the caries group and 4.2% in the caries-free group), CT genotype (12.7% in the caries group and 8.4% in the caries-free group), TNF-α rs1800629 A allele (4.8% in the caries group and 6.8% in the caries-free group), and AG genotype (8.7% in the caries group and 13.2% in the caries-free group) were significantly different between the caries and caries-free groups (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the LTF rs1126478 allele frequency and genotype distribution between the two groups. The ENAM rs3796703 CT genotype increased caries susceptibility by 60.9% compared to the CC genotype (β=0.746, OR=1.609), and the TNF-α rs1800629 AG genotype reduced caries susceptibility by 47.4% compared to the GG genotype (β=-0.642, OR=0.526). In terms of habits covariates, prolongation of night feeding time by 1 month increased caries susceptibility by 3.3% (β=0.033, OR=1.033); additionally, sweets and acidic drinks consumption 1-2 times per day increased caries susceptibility by 218.2% (β=1.158, OR=3.182), and consumption 3 or more times pe/r day increased susceptibility by 883.5% (β=2.286, OR=9.835) compared to non-consumption. Topical fluoride application decreased caries susceptibility by 43.0% (β=-0.562, OR=0.570).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ENAM and TNF-α genes are likely associated with caries experience in Chinese children. The ENAM rs3796703 CT genotype might be involved in caries susceptibility, while TNF-α rs1800629 AG genotype might be involved in caries protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22 Zhongguancun Avenue South, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, PR China. Electronic address: wangdoudou_bjmu@126.com.
authors.forename: Mengchen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22 Zhongguancun Avenue South, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, PR China. Electronic address: qinman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Man
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22 Zhongguancun Avenue South, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, PR China. Electronic address: summerinbeijing@vip.sina.com.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000235:genetics*; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C038456:tuftelin; D007781:Lactoferrin
keywords: Caries; Gene polymorphisms; Oral behavioural habits