The potential impact of salivary peptides in periodontitis

Abstract

Periodontitis is a complex immune-inflammatory condition characterized by the disruption of the periodontal ligament and subsequent formation of periodontal pockets, and by alveolar bone loss, often resulting in tooth loss. A myriad of factors, namely, genetic, metabolic, immunological, and inflammatory, is associated with progression of periodontitis. Periodontitis is also associated with systemic conditions such as neoplastic disorders, obesity, and diabetes. The current diagnosis of this disease relies on clinical measurements such as clinical attachment loss and probing depth, which have poor precision due to patient, operator and probe-related factors. Thus, there is a need to develop reliable, objective, and reproducible biomarkers for early diagnosis of periodontitis. In this regard, saliva, with contributions from the gingival crevicular fluid, holds great potential. However, most of the information on biomarkers of periodontium-related salivary proteins has come from studies on the molecular pathogenesis of periodontitis. In periodontitis, a more holistic approach, such as the use of -omics technologies, for biomarker discovery, is needed. Herein, we review the biomarkers proposed to date for the assessment of periodontitis, with emphasis on the role of salivary peptides in periodontitis and their assessment by high-throughput saliva proteomics. We also discuss the challenges pertaining to the identification of new periodontitis biomarkers in saliva.

Keywords:

• Biomarkers
• salivary proteome
• periodontitis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

We thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), European Union, Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (QREN), Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) and Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade (COMPETE) for funding UnIC [UIDB/00051/2020 and UIDP/00051/2020] and iBiMED [UID/BIM/04501/2020 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007628] and LAQV/REQUIMTE [UIDB/50006/2020] research units as well as RV’s Fellowship Grant [IF/00286/2015].