Oral Immunesystem

Question 1

What’s immunology?

Answer 1

The study of how the body defends itself against foreign organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and, parasites as well as against foreign non- invasive cells, tissues.

Question 2

Talk about mucins and their function

Answer 2

• High molecular weight proteins, are produced primarily by the submandibular gland, sublingual glands and by the labial and palatinal minor salivary glands

Function:

• That trap or aggregate bacteria provide a thin film over the mucous membrane and teeth to serve as lubricants.

Question 3

What’s lysozyme and its function?

Answer 3

• Lysozyme is a small protein present in body fluids, including saliva, tears, sweat and nasal secretion .
• Salivary lysozyme is produced by the salivary glands (highest level was found in the sublingual saliva), It is also present in the gingival crevicular fluid

Function:

Salivary lysozyme cause lysis of Gm+ve and Gm-ve bacteria.

Question 4

What’s LACTOFERRIN and its function?

Answer 4

• Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein.
• Major sources of lactoferrin in saliva are the salivary glands, mucosal epithelial cells, gingival crevicular fluid

Functions:

• Lactoferrin strongly inhibited adherence of mutans streptococci to saliva coated hydroxyapatite (HAP) blocks
• Lactoferrin combines with iron and copper to deprive bacteria of these essential nutrients that affect growth and metabolism.

Question 5

What’s SALIVARY PEROXIDASE and its functions

Answer 5

• Salivary peroxidase is produced by the salivary glands

Functions:

• Salivary peroxidase reacts with saliva to form the antimicrobial compound hypothiocyanate, which in turn inhibits the ability of the bacteria to fully use glucose.
• strongly adsorbs to hydroxyapatite and can influence the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the microbial population of dental plaque

Question 6

What are functions of HISTADINE AND STATHERIN

Answer 6

• Control the status of calcium and phosphate in the saliva
• These proteins prevent fall-out of the calcium and phosphate that maintain super saturation in relation to HAP.
• They prevent a rapid drop in saliva pH and aid in its quicker recovery.
• They both are antifungal and help prevent mucosal infections

Question 7

THE 5 CLASSES OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS?

Answer 7

1. IgG – most plentiful in body fluids; protects fetuses
2. IgE – causes allergic reactions; hypersensitivity reactions; used against parasites
3. IgA – found in body secretions such as sweat ,saliva,and breast milk
4. IgM, IgD – are secreted during first stage of initial infection by a pathogen

Question 8

What are Antigenic Components Of Streptococcus Mutans?

Answer 8

A. Glucosyltransferase (GTFs): anThe GTFs are a group of extra cellular enzymes involved in the synthesis of polymers(glucans) from sucrose.

B. Wall- associated proteins.Two purified proteins from the surface of S. Mutans serotype c are currently being suggested for use as dental caries vaccines

Question 9

What are mechanisms of action of a vaccine?

Answer 9

The first mechanism involves the production of secretory IgA secreted in the saliva. The salivary glands produce secretory IgA antibodies They may prevent S. mutans from adhering to the enamel surface or they may prevent formation of dextran by inhibiting the activity of glucosyltransferase (GTF).

The second mechanism involves the systemic immune system and the production of anti bodies that travel through the gingival epithelium into the creviculer fluid that bathes tooth and plaque In addition, cellular components of the immune system such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils are also present in gingival sulcus.

Question 10

What’s passive immunization and its disadvantages?

Answer 10

PASSIVE IMMUNIZATION As the name suggests, passive immunization involves passive or external supplementation of the antibodies.

• Monoclonal antibodies.
• Bovine milk and whey
• Egg-yolk antibodies

Disadvantages Of Passive Immunization

• The antibodies are short lived- can last only for few hours to 3 days in plaque environment.
• Due to their short-lived nature, research is targeted to incorporate these antibodies into dentifrices and mouth rinses for long-term benefit

Question 11

What are ROUTES OF IMMUNIZATION:?

Answer 11

• Systemic (Subcutaneous injection) lead to Stimulate serum Ig
• Oral route.
• Rectal route is an alternative route for administration of vaccine in subjects with respiratory ailments.
• Stimulation of secretary IgA by injection of vicinity of salivary glands(Intranasal, Tonsillar, Minor salivary gland).

Question 12

Talk about vaccination timing and risks of using Caries vaccine

Answer 12

TIME OF ADMINISTRATION Caries vaccine should ideally be administered just before the initial colonization of Streptococcus mutans on to the tooth surfaces:

• First window of infectivity (7-24 months)-offer protection for deciduous dentition.
• Second window of infectivity(6-12 Years)-offers protection for permanent dentition.

RISKS OF USING CARIES VACCINE Most serious is that sera of some patients with rheumatic fever who show serological cross- reactivity between heart tissue antigens and certain antigens from hemolytic Streptococci.