Acquired pellicle engineering with proteins/peptides: Mechanism of action on native human enamel surface

Vinícius Taioqui Pelá; Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf; Samira Helena Niemeyer; Tommy Baumann; Flávio Henrique-Silva; Danyelle Toyama; Edson Crusca; Reinaldo Marchetto; Adrian Lussi; Thiago Saads Carvalho

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103612

Acquired pellicle engineering with proteins/peptides: Mechanism of action on native human enamel surface

J Dent. 2021 Apr:107:103612. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103612. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, BE, Switzerland. Electronic address: vinicus_asb@hotmail.com.
² Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: mbuzalaf@fob.usp.br.
³ Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, BE, Switzerland. Electronic address: samira.niemeyer@zmk.unibe.ch.
⁴ Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, BE, Switzerland. Electronic address: tommy.baumann@zmk.unibe.ch.
⁵ Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: dfhs@ufscar.br.
⁶ Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: danycbio@yahoo.com.br.
⁷ Chemistry Institute, Paulista State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: ecrusca@gmail.com.
⁸ Chemistry Institute, Paulista State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: reinaldo.marchetto@unesp.br.
⁹ Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, BE, Switzerland. Electronic address: adrian.lussi@zmk.unibe.ch.
¹⁰ Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, BE, Switzerland. Electronic address: thiago.saads@zmk.unibe.ch.

PMID: 33621617
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103612

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the mechanism of action of different proteins/peptides (separately or in combination), focusing on how they act directly on the native enamel surface and on modifying the salivary pellicle.

Methods: A total of 170 native human enamel specimens were prepared and submitted to different treatments (2 h; 37 °C): with deionized water, CaneCPI-5, Hemoglobin, Statherin, or a combination of all three proteins/peptides. The groups were subdivided into treatment acting on the enamel surface (NoP - absence of salivary pellicle), and treatment modifying the salivary pellicle (P). Treatment was made (2 h; 37 °C) in all specimens, and later, for P, the specimens were incubated in human saliva (2 h; 37 °C). In both cases, the specimens were immersed in 1% citric acid (pH 3.6; 2 min; 25 °C). Calcium released from enamel (CaR) and its relative surface reflection intensity (%SRI) was measured after 5 cycles. Between-group differences were verified with two-way ANOVA, with "presence of pellicle" and "treatment" as factors (α = 0.05).

Results: The presence of pellicle provided better protection regarding %SRI (p < 0.01), but not regarding CaR (p = 0.201). In relation to treatment, when compared to the control group, all proteins/peptides provided significantly better protection (p < 0.01 for %SRI and Car). The combination of all three proteins/peptides demonstrated the best protective effect (p < 0.01 for %SRI).

Conclusion: Depending on the protein or peptide, its erosion-inhibiting effect derives from their interaction with the enamel surface or from modifying the pellicle, so a combination of proteins and peptides provides the best protection.

Clinical significance: The present study opens a new direction for a possible treatment with a combination of proteins for native human enamel, which can act directly on the enamel surface as well on the modification of the salivary pellicle, for the prevention of dental erosion.

Keywords: Acquired pellicle; Dental erosion; Enamel; Pellicle modification; Protein; saliva.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Dental Enamel
Dental Pellicle
Humans
Peptides
Saliva
Tooth Erosion* / prevention & control

Substances

Peptides