Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry Strategies

Background: Human beta-defensin 1 (DEFB1), together with other defensins, serves as a fundamental immune protector for oral tissues since it suppresses harmful microbial growth and fosters healthy oral conditions. The research included two main purposes assessing the relationship between DEFB1 expr...

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Main Authors: Rehana Kausar, Anjum Younus, Shahzeb Azam, Bisma Khizer, Manzar Anwar Khan, Rimsha Shahid, Ehsan Ul Haq
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ziauddin University 2025-07-01
Series:Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry
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Online Access:https://ojs.zu.edu.pk/pjmd/article/view/3771
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author Rehana Kausar
Anjum Younus
Shahzeb Azam
Bisma Khizer
Manzar Anwar Khan
Rimsha Shahid
Ehsan Ul Haq
author_facet Rehana Kausar
Anjum Younus
Shahzeb Azam
Bisma Khizer
Manzar Anwar Khan
Rimsha Shahid
Ehsan Ul Haq
author_sort Rehana Kausar
collection DOAJ
description Background: Human beta-defensin 1 (DEFB1), together with other defensins, serves as a fundamental immune protector for oral tissues since it suppresses harmful microbial growth and fosters healthy oral conditions. The research included two main purposes assessing the relationship between DEFB1 expression levels and genetic polymorphism with oral disease risks, and evaluating DEFB1's potential for oral disease prevention biomarker use. Methods: This research performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on 11 observational studies using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The data extraction process concentrated on recording DEFB1 expression data together with clinical results and population characteristics. The risk-of-bias tools were done using the Newcastle Ottawa tool, while a random-effects model was applied for meta-analysis due to heterogeneity in the studies.  Results: Eleven studies that contained DEFB1 gene polymorphisms and expression were considered. Rs11362 and rs1799946 polymorphisms and low levels of DEFB1 gene/protein were linked to increased risks of oral diseases, such as caries and periodontitis. The effect sizes were noted as 2.26 (95% CI: 0.90 -5.67) and -0.59 (95% CI: -1.28 to 0.09). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed the same direction of effect. Nonetheless, the significant heterogeneity was recorded (I2 > 90 percent), and the overall certainty of evidence was low because of the study design, inconsistency, and imprecision.  Discussion:  Research findings show that DEFB1 demonstrates potential as an indicator of susceptibility to diseases, although specific studies exhibit some variation in their results.  Additional research needs standardized approaches to advance knowledge.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry
spelling doaj-art-b7afdd28aca148d7aaca1fcbec41e1c72025-08-20T02:41:17Zengziauddin UniversityPakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry2313-73712308-25932025-07-0114310.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/059Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry StrategiesRehana Kausar0Anjum Younus1Shahzeb Azam2Bisma Khizer3Manzar Anwar Khan4Rimsha Shahid5Ehsan Ul Haq6https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2392-2360Islam Dental College, Sialkot, Pakistan.Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi Pakistan.ISRA Dental College, Hyderabad, Pakistan.Bhitai Dental & Medical College, Mirpurkhas, Pakistan.Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, KP, PakistanUniversity of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.Free University of Berlin, Germany. Background: Human beta-defensin 1 (DEFB1), together with other defensins, serves as a fundamental immune protector for oral tissues since it suppresses harmful microbial growth and fosters healthy oral conditions. The research included two main purposes assessing the relationship between DEFB1 expression levels and genetic polymorphism with oral disease risks, and evaluating DEFB1's potential for oral disease prevention biomarker use. Methods: This research performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on 11 observational studies using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The data extraction process concentrated on recording DEFB1 expression data together with clinical results and population characteristics. The risk-of-bias tools were done using the Newcastle Ottawa tool, while a random-effects model was applied for meta-analysis due to heterogeneity in the studies.  Results: Eleven studies that contained DEFB1 gene polymorphisms and expression were considered. Rs11362 and rs1799946 polymorphisms and low levels of DEFB1 gene/protein were linked to increased risks of oral diseases, such as caries and periodontitis. The effect sizes were noted as 2.26 (95% CI: 0.90 -5.67) and -0.59 (95% CI: -1.28 to 0.09). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed the same direction of effect. Nonetheless, the significant heterogeneity was recorded (I2 > 90 percent), and the overall certainty of evidence was low because of the study design, inconsistency, and imprecision.  Discussion:  Research findings show that DEFB1 demonstrates potential as an indicator of susceptibility to diseases, although specific studies exhibit some variation in their results.  Additional research needs standardized approaches to advance knowledge. https://ojs.zu.edu.pk/pjmd/article/view/3771β‑DefensinsOral Mucosal Immunity Dental CariesPeriodontitisPreventive DentistryGene Polymorphism
spellingShingle Rehana Kausar
Anjum Younus
Shahzeb Azam
Bisma Khizer
Manzar Anwar Khan
Rimsha Shahid
Ehsan Ul Haq
Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry Strategies
Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry
β‑Defensins
Oral Mucosal Immunity
Dental Caries
Periodontitis
Preventive Dentistry
Gene Polymorphism
title Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry Strategies
title_full Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry Strategies
title_fullStr Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry Strategies
title_short Defensin-Mediated Oral Immunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of DEFB1 Expression in Preventive Dentistry Strategies
title_sort defensin mediated oral immunity a systematic review and meta analysis of defb1 expression in preventive dentistry strategies
topic β‑Defensins
Oral Mucosal Immunity
Dental Caries
Periodontitis
Preventive Dentistry
Gene Polymorphism
url https://ojs.zu.edu.pk/pjmd/article/view/3771
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