The composition of enamel salivary films is different from the ones formed on dental materials

Abstract

This study utilized two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) to illustrate the compositional differences between in vitro salivary conditioning films (denoted pellicles) formed on human enamel as well as on the dental materials titanium and poly(methyl methacrylate). The salivary pellicles were formed by immersing each surface in individual tubes containing small volumes of freshly collected whole saliva. Saliva remaining in the tubes after the pellicle formation for 2 h was visualized by means of 2DE and silver staining. The results showed that the protein patterns in 2DE of the liquid phase of saliva left after the exposure to the respective surfaces, regarding proteins <100 kDa in size, were different depending on the surface used. Several protein groups and/or individual proteins were shown to be distinct for each surface used.

Keywords:

• gel electrophoresis
• titanium
• poly(methyl methacrylate)
• surfaces
• biofilm
• protein adsorption

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Professor Thomas Arnebrant for fruitful discussions concerning this study. They also thank Christin Sonntag at Decodon GmbH for her guidance in the world of delta2D. This study was supported by research grants from Malmö University, the Swedish Laryng Foundation, the Crafoord Foundation, the Swedish Dental Society and the Swedish Patent Revenue Fund for Research in Preventive Dentistry.