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Caries

356 - Salivary Immunological Biomarkers Associated with ACEs and Caries in Children

Saturday, May 24, 2025
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM MDT
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Payton Richardson, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Resident (PGY-2)
    University of California, Los Angeles
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • NT

    Nini Tran, DDS

    Assistant Professor
    University of Califronia, Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • GA

    Ghassem Ansari, D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D., A.P.P.D

    Clinical Professor
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, California, United States

Abstract:



Purpose: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that affect health from

childhood to adulthood. They are linked to elevated stress hormones and immune

response changes, but their impact on oral health is unknown. This study explored salivary

immunological biomarkers associated with ACEs and dental caries in children.




Methods: Unstimulated saliva was collected from 41 children aged 5 to 11 years, with 19 having

adverse childhood experiences (ACEs ≥1) and 22 without ACEs (control group, ACEs =0). The

ACEs score was determined based on the results of the ACEs questionnaire. Comprehensive

oral evaluation was conducted to assess the number of decayed (d/D), missing (m/M), and filled

(f/F) teeth (t/T). Samples were categorized into 4 groups based on caries, caries-affected (CA)

or caries-free (CF), and ACEs scores (ACEs=0 or ≥1). Salivary immunological biomarkers were

analyzed using a multiplexed bead immunoassay (Luminex).




Results: Five of the 47 immunological biomarkers analyzed were below the detection level. The

analysis revealed that several immune molecules exhibited statistically significant differential

expression. Important immune mediators such as Fractalkine, G-CSF, IL-1 , IL-1RA, IL-8, IP-10,

and TNF-alpha were significantly elevated, which may be related to caries experience. High levels of

IL-10 and TGF-alpha may be associated with ACEs. Additionally, increased levels of Ftl-3L, MIP-1Beta,

TGF-alpha, and TNF-alpha may indicate ACE-induced caries biomarkers.




Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that the host’s inflammatory response and growth factor activation play key roles in dental caries. Further analysis is needed to understand the influence of ACEs on these mechanisms.

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