Salivary proteomics as signature for molar incisor hypomineralization stages.

OBJECTIVE

Saliva is a rich-bodily fluid with recognized clinical diagnosis roles. This research aimed to investigate the salivary proteomic signatures for MIH in children with distinct degrees of severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 50 schoolers (8-13 years) were equally assigned into the following groups: G1 (Control group-Healthy first permanent molars), G2 (Mild MIH with white/creamy opacity and free of caries), G3 (Mild MIH with yellow/brown opacity and free of caries), G4 (Severe MIH with white/creamy, yellow/brown opacities including post-eruptive fracture and free of caries), G5 (Severe MIH with white/creamy, yellow/brown opacities, post-eruptive fracture, and caries). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and later explored using mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 6,471 proteins were found, 5,073 exclusively from MIH children, and 778 overlapping among the different degrees of the disturb. The biological pathways displayed distinct patterns among the groups, which differed according to the MIH degrees. Gene-Ontology differences might not be verified regarding the biological processes and cellular components. Conversely, concerning molecular function, alterations among groups were evident, with proteins that would contribute to MIH in children with the severe condition (i.e., calcium ion binding, microtubule binding, platelet-derived growth factor binding).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support important salivary proteomics changes in MIH children according to distinct degrees of severity, reinforcing the interplay between the clinical characteristics and changes in the salivary proteome.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Changes occurring in the salivary proteomics of children with distinct degrees of severity of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) might be promising biomarkers and valuable information in clinical care, helping professionals make better clinical decisions and helping patients to understand their disturbance.