Protein composition of whole and parotid saliva in healthy and periodontitis subjects

Abstract

Cystatins are physiological inhibitors of cysteine proteinases and they are widely distributed in human tissues and body fluids including saliva. We previously reported an increased cystatin activity in whole saliva of gingivitis and periodontitis subjects. Based on this result we decided to investigate the type and origin of cystatins involved in this increased cystatin activity by collecting both whole and parotid saliva of 25 healthy and 30 periodontitis subjects. Saliva samples were quantified for cystatins S and C by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cystatin activities were measured toward papain. Besides, three other salivary proteins were determined: the plasma protein albumin, the typical parotid derived amylase and the salivary immunoglobulin IgA. The present investigation shows that levels of total protein and cystatin activity as well as the levels of glandular derived proteins amylase and cystatin C were significantly higher in whole and parotid saliva of subjects with periodontitis than in healthy controls. Cystatin S, the major salivary cystatin, however was higher in the whole saliva of the healthy group. Whole saliva concentrations of albumin and IgA, originating from sources other than the glandular cells, were not different between healthy and periodontitis subjects and were also not correlated with the typical salivary gland proteins. In conclusion, this study provides additional evidence that the human salivary glands may respond to an inflammatory disease of the oral cavity, periodontitis, by enhanced synthesis of some acinar proteins.

Estimation of Levels of Salivary Mucin, Amylase and Total Protein in Gingivitis and Chronic Periodontitis Patients

“…Our study is in accordance with other studies which showed an increase in amylase levels in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis [5,13,16,17].…”

“…The increased protein levels in our study in the test groups could be due to the inflammatory process that activates the sympathetic system to enhance the synthesis and secretion of some proteins (as evidenced by increased amylase levels) thereby increasing the protective potential of saliva against the diseases [12,13].…”

“…The increased levels may be due to the response of salivary glands to inflammatory diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis resulting in increased synthesis and secretion of certain acinar proteins like α-amylase so as to enhance the oral defense mechanism [12,13].…”

Salivary (SD-Type) Cystatins: Over One Billion Years in the Making—But to What Purpose?

“…There is some discordance among the reported levels of cystatin mRNAs, protein concentrations, and cystatin activity (Henskens et al, 1996a,c;Dickinson et al, 2002), suggesting a contribution of post-translational and post-secretion events (such as N-terminal processing) to overall inhibitory capacity. Also, for parotid Table 2 in Henskens et al (1996a).…”

Review

“…A possible role for cystatin C in bone resorption in vitro was investigated by Lerner and Grubb (1992) by analyzing the parathyroid hormone stimulated release of 45 Ca and 3 H from prelabeled mouse calvarial bones. Using recombinant cystatin C they showed a significant reduction in the release of 45 Ca and 3 H. 1991Barka etal., 1992Keppler etal., 1994Henskens era/., 1994,1996bBabnik etal., 1988Skaleric et a/., 1989Buttle et a/., 19901991Warfelefa/.,19871991Chapman etal., 1990 Lenarcic ef a/., 1988a Bollengier ef a/., 1987;MacPherson.1965Lofbergefa/,,1980 Grubber a/., 1984 Ghiso era/., 1986 Löfberg and Grubb, 1979Brzinefa/,,1984Kabandaefa/,,1994Lerner and Grubb, 1992Korantefa/,,1986Collins and Grubb, 1991Bjorckefa/.,1990Bjorckefa/,,1989 …”