This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Marcotte, H.
Right arrow Articles by Lavoie, M. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Marcotte, H.
Right arrow Articles by Lavoie, M. C.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev, March 1998, p. 71-109, Vol. 62, No. 1
1092-2172/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Oral Microbial Ecology and the Role of Salivary Immunoglobulin A

Harold Marcotte1 and Marc C. Lavoie1 2 *

Département de Microbiologie-Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine,1 and Département de Biochimie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie,2 Université Laval, Québec, Canada GIK 7P4

In the oral cavity, indigenous bacteria are often associated with two major oral diseases, caries and periodontal diseases. These diseases seem to appear following an inbalance in the oral resident microbiota, leading to the emergence of potentially pathogenic bacteria. To define the process involved in caries and periodontal diseases, it is necessary to understand the ecology of the oral cavity and to identify the factors responsible for the transition of the oral microbiota from a commensal to a pathogenic relationship with the host. The regulatory forces influencing the oral ecosystem can be divided into three major categories: host related, microbe related, and external factors. Among host factors, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) constitutes the main specific immune defense mechanism in saliva and may play an important role in the homeostasis of the oral microbiota. Naturally occurring SIgA antibodies that are reactive against a variety of indigenous bacteria are detectable in saliva. These antibodies may control the oral microbiota by reducing the adherence of bacteria to the oral mucosa and teeth. It is thought that protection against bacterial etiologic agents of caries and periodontal diseases could be conferred by the induction of SIgA antibodies via the stimulation of the mucosal immune system. However, elucidation of the role of the SIgA immune system in controlling the oral indigenous microbiota is a prerequisite for the development of effective vaccines against these diseases. The role of SIgA antibodies in the acquisition and the regulation of the indigenous microbiota is still controversial. Our review discusses the importance of SIgA among the multiple factors that control the oral microbiota. It describes the oral ecosystems, the principal factors that may control the oral microbiota, a basic knowledge of the secretory immune system, the biological functions of SIgA, and, finally, experiments related to the role of SIgA in oral microbial ecology.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Département de Biochimie, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1K 7P4. Phone: (418) 656-2131, ext. 2151. Fax: (418) 656-3664. E-mail: marc.lavoie{at}bcm.ulaval.ca.

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev, March 1998, p. 71-109, Vol. 62, No. 1
1092-2172/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Hojo, K., Nagaoka, S., Ohshima, T., Maeda, N. (2009). Bacterial Interactions in Dental Biofilm Development. JDR 88: 982-990 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Ramsey, M. M., Whiteley, M. (2009). Polymicrobial interactions stimulate resistance to host innate immunity through metabolite perception. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106: 1578-1583 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Ashford, J. R., Skelley, M. (2008). Oral Care and the Elderly. Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) 17: 19-26 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Brown, S. A., Whiteley, M. (2007). A Novel Exclusion Mechanism for Carbon Resource Partitioning in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. J. Bacteriol. 189: 6407-6414 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Granger, D. A., Kivlighan, K. T., Blair, C., El-Sheikh, M., Mize, J., Lisonbee, J. A., Buckhalt, J. A., Stroud, L. R., Handwerger, K., Schwartz, E. B. (2006). Integrating the measurement of salivary {alpha}-amylase into studies of child health, development, and social relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 23: 267-290 [Abstract]  
  • Ojha, S., Sirois, M., MacInnes, J. I. (2005). Identification of Actinobacillus suis Genes Essential for the Colonization of the Upper Respiratory Tract of Swine. Infect. Immun. 73: 7032-7039 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Shelburne, S. A. III, Granville, C., Tokuyama, M., Sitkiewicz, I., Patel, P., Musser, J. M. (2005). Growth Characteristics of and Virulence Factor Production by Group A Streptococcus during Cultivation in Human Saliva. Infect. Immun. 73: 4723-4731 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • de Repentigny, L., Lewandowski, D., Jolicoeur, P. (2004). Immunopathogenesis of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 17: 729-759 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Bosch, J. A., Turkenburg, M., Nazmi, K., Veerman, E. C. I., de Geus, E. J. C., Nieuw Amerongen, A. V. (2003). Stress as a Determinant of Saliva-Mediated Adherence and Coadherence of Oral and Nonoral Microorganisms. Psychosom. Med. 65: 604-612 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Soares, R.V., Siqueira, C.C., Bruno, L.S., Oppenheim, F.G., Offner, G.D., Troxler, R.F. (2003). MG2 and Lactoferrin Form a Heterotypic Complex in Salivary Secretions. JDR 82: 471-475 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Sait, L., Galic, M., Strugnell, R. A., Janssen, P. H. (2003). Secretory Antibodies Do Not Affect the Composition of the Bacterial Microbiota in the Terminal Ileum of 10-Week-Old Mice. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 2100-2109 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Huang, Y., Hajishengallis, G., Michalek, S. M. (2001). Induction of Protective Immunity against Streptococcus mutans Colonization after Mucosal Immunization with Attenuated Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Expressing an S. mutans Adhesin under the Control of In Vivo-Inducible nirB Promoter. Infect. Immun. 69: 2154-2161 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Lenander-Lumikari, M., Loimaranta, V. (2000). Saliva and Dental Caries. ADR 14: 40-47 [Abstract]  
  • Manjarrez-Hernandez, H. A., Gavilanes-Parra, S., Chavez-Berrocal, E., Navarro-Ocana, A., Cravioto, A. (2000). Antigen Detection in Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Using Secretory Immunoglobulin A Antibodies Isolated from Human Breast Milk. Infect. Immun. 68: 5030-5036 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Dierksen, K. P., Ragland, N. L., Tagg, J. R. (2000). A New Alkaline pH-Adjusted Medium Enhances Detection of beta -Hemolytic Streptococci by Minimizing Bacterial Interference Due to Streptococcus salivarius. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 643-650 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Kirkpatrick, W. R., Lopez-Ribot, J. L., Mcatee, R. K., Patterson, T. F. (2000). Growth Competition between Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans under Broth and Biofilm Growing Conditions. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 902-904 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Abiko, Y. (2000). Passive Immunization Against Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease: Development of Recombinant and Human Monoclonal Antibodies. CROBM 11: 140-158 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Lopez-Ribot, J. L., McAtee, R. K., Perea, S., Kirkpatrick, W. R., Rinaldi, M. G., Patterson, T. F. (1999). Multiple Resistant Phenotypes of Candida albicans Coexist during Episodes of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43: 1621-1630 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Cole, M. F., Bryan, S., Evans, M. K., Pearce, C. L., Sheridan, M. J., Sura, P. A., Wientzen, R. L., Bowden, G. H. W. (1999). Humoral Immunity to Commensal Oral Bacteria in Human Infants: Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A Antibodies Reactive with Streptococcus mitis biovar 1, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococcus faecalis during the First Two Years of Life. Infect. Immun. 67: 1878-1886 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


Copyright © 2010 by the American Society for Microbiology.   For an alternate route to Journals.ASM.org, visit: http://intl-journals.asm.org | More Info»