Petra Borilova Linhartova
Masaryk University, Czech Republic
Title: Biotechnological and molecular genetics approaches in the study of enzymes involved in the etiopathogenesis of dental caries
Biography
Biography: Petra Borilova Linhartova
Abstract
Dental caries is a complex chronic multifactorial disease representing a major oral health problem in the world. In its pathogenesis, metabolic activity of cariogenic bacteria and host enzymes involved in the immune response and dentine formation plays an important role. The advanced molecular genetics methods allow by combining the sophisticated cultivation techniques with genome-level studies to investigate more thoroughly how bacterial pathogens respond to environmental stimuli. In vitro study was focused on changes in metabolomes/transcriptomes of cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, etc.) in dependence on external conditions, such as various substrates (carbohydrates, human/animal milk, and infant formula). Their cariogenic potential was evaluated by measuring acidity of the environment and biomass concentration. The composition of metabolites and gene expression profiles were monitored by modern biotechnology techniques (CE/HPLC/MS and NGS, respectively). Further, case-control association study comprising 803 Czech children (172 controls and 111/520 patients with dental caries in the primary/permanent dentition) was carried out. Candidate genes encoding matrix metalloproteinase-9 and -20 (MMPs), which are included in the development, remodeling and destruction of oral tissues, were selected for the analysis. Polymorphisms rs17576 and rs1784418 were determined by real-time PCR using TaqMan assays. Both SNPs were associated with severity of but not susceptibility to dental caries in the permanent dentition (P<0.05).Biotechnological and molecular genetics approaches offer new possibilities for the study of complex diseases etiopathogenesis, such as dental caries.