Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13(4), 4295-4320; doi:10.3390/ijms13044295
Review

Salivary Defense Proteins: Their Network and Role in Innate and Acquired Oral Immunity

Tibor Károly Fábián 1,* email, Péter Hermann 1 email, Anita Beck 2 email, Pál Fejérdy 1 email and Gábor Fábián 3 email
1 Clinic of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University Budapest, Szentkirályi utca 47, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary 2 Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University Budapest, Nagyvárad tér 4, Budapest, H-1089, Hungary 3 Clinic of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University Budapest, Szentkirályi utca 47, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 5 March 2012; in revised form: 15 March 2012 / Accepted: 19 March 2012 / Published: 2 April 2012
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Abstract: There are numerous defense proteins present in the saliva. Although some of these molecules are present in rather low concentrations, their effects are additive and/or synergistic, resulting in an efficient molecular defense network of the oral cavity. Moreover, local concentrations of these proteins near the mucosal surfaces (mucosal transudate), periodontal sulcus (gingival crevicular fluid) and oral wounds and ulcers (transudate) may be much greater, and in many cases reinforced by immune and/or inflammatory reactions of the oral mucosa. Some defense proteins, like salivary immunoglobulins and salivary chaperokine HSP70/HSPAs (70 kDa heat shock proteins), are involved in both innate and acquired immunity. Cationic peptides and other defense proteins like lysozyme, bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI), BPI-like proteins, PLUNC (palate lung and nasal epithelial clone) proteins, salivary amylase, cystatins, prolin-rich proteins, mucins, peroxidases, statherin and others are primarily responsible for innate immunity. In this paper, this complex system and function of the salivary defense proteins will be reviewed.
Keywords: saliva; defense; protein; innate; acquired; immunity; oral

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MDPI and ACS Style

Fábián, T.K.; Hermann, P.; Beck, A.; Fejérdy, P.; Fábián, G. Salivary Defense Proteins: Their Network and Role in Innate and Acquired Oral Immunity. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13, 4295-4320.

AMA Style

Fábián TK, Hermann P, Beck A, Fejérdy P, Fábián G. Salivary Defense Proteins: Their Network and Role in Innate and Acquired Oral Immunity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2012; 13(4):4295-4320.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fábián, Tibor Károly; Hermann, Péter; Beck, Anita; Fejérdy, Pál; Fábián, Gábor. 2012. "Salivary Defense Proteins: Their Network and Role in Innate and Acquired Oral Immunity." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 13, no. 4: 4295-4320.

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