Age‐related changes in immune function (immune senescence) in caries and periodontal diseases: a systematic review

Abstract

Aim: To systematically review the evidence regarding immune senescence in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and dental caries. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases utilizing medical subject headings (MeSH terms) supplemented by screening of review articles and other relevant texts was undertaken. Results: Seventy-three articles were included (43 for periodontitis, 30 for caries). Study results were found to be generally heterogeneous. Regarding periodontitis, human studies suggest evidence for altered neutrophil function and increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g. interleukin-1b, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E 2 ) in older compared to younger subjects, and animal experiments suggest increased expression of genes that contribute to a pro-inflammatory state in older compared to younger animals. Regarding dental caries, research relating to changes in immune functioning and the impact of ageing is in its infancy. A small number of studies have reported components of innate and adaptive immunity that affect the composition of saliva and dental biofilms with possible impacts on caries progression. Conclusion: There is evidence that immune functioning related to periodontitis and (less investigated) dental caries alters with increasing age. In both conditions, ageassociated mechanistic changes in immune functioning are complex and incompletely understood and it is not clear how these relate to disease susceptibility.

Longitudinal evaluation of periodontitis and tooth loss among older adults

“…The influence of ageing on periodontitis is complex, but has been suggested to be related to an accumulated exposure of the disease rather than increasing susceptibility. However, altering immune functioning: immune senescence, associated with ageing has been suggested as a plausible biological mechanism that may affect the susceptibility to periodontitis among elderly (Preshaw, Henne, Taylor, Valentine, & Conrads, ). Another hypothesis that may explain an increased susceptibility to periodontitis relates to changes in proliferative capabilities of cells and reduced wound healing capacity through a decrease in type I collagen (Caceres, Oyarzun, & Smith, ; Hajishengallis, ; Lim, Liu, Mah, Chen, & Helms, ).…”

“…Henne, Taylor, Valentine, & Conrads, 2017). Another hypothesis that may explain an increased susceptibility to periodontitis relates to changes in proliferative capabilities of cells and reduced wound healing capacity through a decrease in type I collagen (Caceres, Oyarzun, & Smith, 2014;Hajishengallis, 2010;Lim, Liu, Mah, Chen, & Helms, 2014).…”

Exposure to occupational noise and periodontitis in Korean workers

“…Finally, noise stress may generate reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cells, which are involved in inflammation and degradation of the extracellular matrix and connective tissue . Similar immunological mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis through poor oral hygiene, reduced immune function, and insulin resistance . In addition, previous authors have suggested that a noisy environment reflects a low sociodemographic environment, which is linked to health problems …”

Phenotyping the Oral Mucosal Immunocytеs in the Dental Implantation Dynamics

“…При этом имеются только единичные исследования, посвященные местным факторам иммунной защиты [6][7][8]. Мониторинговые исследования по изучению сравнительной характеристики местного иммунного статуса при дентальной имплантации практически отсутствуют, а имеющиеся работы выполнены преимущественно в эксперименте на животных [9][10][11], что определило выбор направления наших исследований.…”