HLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish children

Abstract Background Genetic factors significantly influence caries development and the colonization of oral bacteria, which could explain why some individuals are more prone or resistant to caries. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II is a component in the adaptive immune system that has been asso...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hanna Hänel, Dan Ericson, Marie Louise Wallengren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06248-z
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850243621735890944
author Hanna Hänel
Dan Ericson
Marie Louise Wallengren
author_facet Hanna Hänel
Dan Ericson
Marie Louise Wallengren
author_sort Hanna Hänel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Genetic factors significantly influence caries development and the colonization of oral bacteria, which could explain why some individuals are more prone or resistant to caries. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II is a component in the adaptive immune system that has been associated with the colonization of oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans. This study aimed to investigate the association between specific alleles and genotypes of HLA-DRB1 on subgroup level and the colonization of S. mutans in a group of Swedish children. Methods Blood samples from 357 children were analyzed for HLA using next generation sequencing. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed for S. mutans, after which the subjects were divided into three groups: low, moderate, and high levels of colony forming units (CFU). The frequency of DRB1 alleles and genotypes was compared between the three groups. In addition, colonization levels, including the extremely high and low S. mutans CFU in individuals with alleles DRB1*0401, *0404, and *0301 were compared to the rest of the material. Results Individuals with DRB1*0401 were significantly associated with the extremely high CFU levels, since CFU levels > 100 were observed in 4.3% of individuals with DRB1*0401, compared to none among those without the allele (p = 0.009, Fisher’s exact test). No statistical association was noted between the low, moderate, and high S. mutans groups and specific alleles or genotypes. Conclusions The findings suggest a potential relation between HLA class II alleles and the colonization of S. mutans. Specifically, carrying the DRB1*0401 allele may be a predisposing factor for higher levels of colonization.
format Article
id doaj-art-56695557f6464c7d8f16144cc23cd8c3
institution OA Journals
issn 1472-6831
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Oral Health
spelling doaj-art-56695557f6464c7d8f16144cc23cd8c32025-08-20T01:59:57ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-05-012511910.1186/s12903-025-06248-zHLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish childrenHanna Hänel0Dan Ericson1Marie Louise Wallengren2Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö UniversityDepartment of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö UniversityDepartment of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö UniversityAbstract Background Genetic factors significantly influence caries development and the colonization of oral bacteria, which could explain why some individuals are more prone or resistant to caries. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II is a component in the adaptive immune system that has been associated with the colonization of oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans. This study aimed to investigate the association between specific alleles and genotypes of HLA-DRB1 on subgroup level and the colonization of S. mutans in a group of Swedish children. Methods Blood samples from 357 children were analyzed for HLA using next generation sequencing. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed for S. mutans, after which the subjects were divided into three groups: low, moderate, and high levels of colony forming units (CFU). The frequency of DRB1 alleles and genotypes was compared between the three groups. In addition, colonization levels, including the extremely high and low S. mutans CFU in individuals with alleles DRB1*0401, *0404, and *0301 were compared to the rest of the material. Results Individuals with DRB1*0401 were significantly associated with the extremely high CFU levels, since CFU levels > 100 were observed in 4.3% of individuals with DRB1*0401, compared to none among those without the allele (p = 0.009, Fisher’s exact test). No statistical association was noted between the low, moderate, and high S. mutans groups and specific alleles or genotypes. Conclusions The findings suggest a potential relation between HLA class II alleles and the colonization of S. mutans. Specifically, carrying the DRB1*0401 allele may be a predisposing factor for higher levels of colonization.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06248-zHLAStreptococcus mutansSalivaCariesGeneticsDRB1*0401
spellingShingle Hanna Hänel
Dan Ericson
Marie Louise Wallengren
HLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish children
BMC Oral Health
HLA
Streptococcus mutans
Saliva
Caries
Genetics
DRB1*0401
title HLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish children
title_full HLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish children
title_fullStr HLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish children
title_full_unstemmed HLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish children
title_short HLA-DRB1 alleles and salivary Streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of Swedish children
title_sort hla drb1 alleles and salivary streptococcus mutans colonization in a group of swedish children
topic HLA
Streptococcus mutans
Saliva
Caries
Genetics
DRB1*0401
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06248-z
work_keys_str_mv AT hannahanel hladrb1allelesandsalivarystreptococcusmutanscolonizationinagroupofswedishchildren
AT danericson hladrb1allelesandsalivarystreptococcusmutanscolonizationinagroupofswedishchildren
AT marielouisewallengren hladrb1allelesandsalivarystreptococcusmutanscolonizationinagroupofswedishchildren