Comparison of Neutrophil Apoptosis α-Defensins and Calprotectin in Children with and without Severe Early Childhood Caries

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: The infectious nature of severe early-childhood caries (S-ECC) points to the possible participation of immunologic host responses including neutrophils and their antimicrobial products. <br/><b>Objectives</b>: The aim of this study was to determine the neutrophil apoptosis, α-defensins (HNP1-3) and calprotectin levels in the saliva of preschool children and the association with S-ECC. <br/><b>Methods</b>: Oral examinations were performed on 87 children aged 3-5 years and non stimulated whole saliva samples were collected. Thirty of these subjects were considered S-ECC children, 30 with moderate caries (MC) and 27 were caries free (CF). To detect apoptosis, cell staining was done with Annexin-V-Fluos and propidium iodide, and they were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy. The concentration of α-defensins and calprotectin were assessed using ELISA. <br/><b>Results</b>: There were no statistical differences between groups considering the HNP1-3 or calprotectin salivary levels (p=0.06 and p=0.23, respectively). The HNP1-3 and calprotectin levels were negatively correlated and the correlation was significant in MC group (p=0.03). Lower levels of apoptotic neutrophils were obtained from CF subjects as compared with S-ECC children (p=0.03). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Our findings establish that apoptotic mechanisms could be implicated in the immunity responses associated with S-ECC. We cannot yet