89 Dental Journal (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) p-ISSN: 1978-3728; e-ISSN: 2442-9740. Accredited No. 56/DIKTI/Kep./2012. Open access under CC-BY-SA license. Available at http://e-journal.unair.ac.id/index.php/MKG 89 Expression analysis of CD63 in salivary neutrophils and the increased level of Streptococcus mutans in severe early childhood caries Muhammad Luthfi Department of Oral Biology Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya - Indonesia abstract Background: Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and decay exfoliation filling teeth (def-t) >6 is a destructive disease that afflicts teeth, including maxillary anterior teeth. In Indonesia, the prevalence of this disease is still high, for instance in Semarang 2007, the rate reached 90.5% in urban areas and 95.9% in rural areas for early childhood caries which is caused by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Neutrophils are effector cells of innate immunity which become the main component of the very first line of defense against microbes. Purpose: This study analyzed the effect caused by the change of CD63 expression on the surface of salivary neutrophils and the increased level of S. mutans in S-ECC. Method: This study employs observational analytic and cross sectional approach by using T test analysis technique for forty cases of early childhood that had been divided into two groups, first group of twenty children positively diagnosed as S-ECC and second group of twenty children negatively diagnosed as the control group. The sample’s result of gargling with 1.5% NaCl was used for neutrophils isolation and analysis function of salivary neutrophils phagocytosis by using flow cytometry test, while the sample of saliva was used to isolate S. mutans and calculate the level of S. mutans. Result: The expression of CD63+ salivary neutrophils in S-ECC was lower (2.32% ± 0.57) than in caries-free (2.67% ± 0.46), while the level of S. mutans showed that the level was not higher than in S-ECC (9.78 ± 2.22)x105 CFU/ml compared to in caries-free (5.13 ± 1.86)x105 CFU/ml. Conclusion: The low expression of CD63 in salivary neutrophils can lead to the increased level of S. mutans in S-ECC. Keywords: Salivary neutrophils; Streptococcus mutans; S-ECC Correspondence: Muhammad Luthfi, c/o: Departemen Biologi Oral, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Mayjen Prof. Dr. Moestopo 47 Surabaya 60132, Indonesia. e-mail: m.luthfi7@yahoo.com introduction early childhood caries (eCC) is caries experienced by younger children and is a serious problem in all over the world, particularly in developing countries.1 The prevalence of dental caries occurred to children from minority ethnics in China is very high, such as the prevalence in Zhuang, Bonan, Dai, Dongxiang, Korea, Tibet.2 If eCC is not treated seriously, it can thrive and cause dental caries on the entire teeth in a short period of time which is known as severe early childhood caries (S-eCC), it will affect the physical and mental health3 and it will increase the risk for the subsequent caries on permanent teeth4 that will not be able to handle by a mere restorative treatment. The classical etiology of eCC involves bacteria, diet, and host affected by the interaction of sociological and environmental factors, while the existence of cariogenic microbes, the frequency of consuming foods and drinks, oral hygiene, educational level of parents, family income, knowledge of oral health and the child’s behavior is proven to be the main cause in eCC.4 In the recent years, the role of neutrophils has changed dramatically in which neutrophils become the main component of the first line of defense against microbes.4 Research Report Dental Journal (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) 2015 June; 48(2): 89–93 Dental Journal (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) p-ISSN: 1978-3728; e-ISSN: 2442-9740. Accredited No. 56/DIKTI/Kep./2012. Open access under CC-BY-SA license. Available at http://e-journal.unair.ac.id/index.php/MKG 90 Luthfi/Dent. J. (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) 2015 June; 48(2): 89–93 Neutrophils do not only act as microbes exterminator with phagocytosis, releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antimicrobial peptides but also as a regulator to the activation of immune response.5 Neutrophils also evidently produce cytokine, chemokine and growth factor until become the main contributor in the pro-inflammatory cytokine production on the infected areas.6 The important function of neutrophils in exterminating microbial pathogens is phagocytosis, which significantly more effective due to the opsonization process by antibody and complement on the microbial surface. Phagocytosis on microbes can generate oxidative burst process to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) with degranulation of cytoplasmic granules in phagosome contains antimicrobial peptides and proteases comprised microbes.7 Azurophilic granule (primary granule) contains antimicrobial proteins such as defensin, elastase, cathepsin dan proteinase-3 and also contains CD63 in its membrane. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the bacteria that cause caries, can activate neutrophils host until it produces antimicrobial peptide (AMPs) in the form of human neutrophil peptide (HNP) 1-3. Besides functioning as antimicrobial, it also acts as chemoattractant and immunomodulatory. HNP 1-3 AMPs function as natural antibiotics which give the first line of defense with wide spectrum of various bacteria.8 Various preventions of dental caries have been done, for example by brushing the teeth properly, fluoridation by topical application, and vaccines manufacturing that still has not shown any expected results until today.9 Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze the change of expression of CD63 salivary neutrophils as the effector cells of innate immunity towards the increased level of S. mutans in S-eCC. materials and methods The sample of this study was obtained from saliva and gargling result with 1.5% NaCl of kindergarten children aged 4 to 6 years old in Surabaya. examination of dental caries was done in advance by measuring the def-t index, and then the subjects were divided into two groups: caries- free group and S-eCC group with def-t index higher than 6. Before the sample was taken, the questionnaire were distributed and the inform consent were signed by the parents respectively. The sample was taken from the saliva without stimulation as much as 2 ml by using expectorate within the falcon tube 5 ml during school hours between 08.00 up to 10.00 a.m. to determine the level of S. mutans and 5 minutes later the children were instructed to gargle with 1.5% NaCl which then accommodated in the 50 ml falcon tube to determine the expression of CD63 on the surface of salivary neutrophils. The sampling was done by the researcher and the trained personnel using standard protocol. The subjects of this study were not allowed to eat, drink, chew gum, or brush their teeth for 60 minutes before the sampling. After the sample was collected, it was frozen at -80°C to be analyzed.10 S. mutans isolation was done by taking saliva sample from preschool children identified either as severe caries (def-t >6) or caries-free performed in the following instructions: biochemical isolation and characterization from S. mutans. Saliva sample then were diluted in brain heart broth (BHI), after incubated for 24 hours, sample was planted on gelatin medium triptone yeast cystein (TYC). The colonies assumed as S. mutans then were sub-cultured to be biochemically tested by using mannitol fermentation, raffinose, sorbitol, salicin, esculin and arginine. Isolates were identified as S. mutans when it is positive to mannitol fermentation, raffinose, sorbitol, salicin, esculin and is negative to arginine and subsequently is confirmed by Gram staining and negative catalase test. Isolates of S. mutans were stored at -80°C.10 Based on its morphology, all colonies of S. mutans on gelatin TYC were calculated using the formula: number of colonies x dilution factor x 50 (1 ml volume) = CFU/ml with minimum detection level 1 x 103 CFU/ml. Profile measurement of neutrophil cells employed CD63 antibody which marks the active neutrophils. CD63 within primary granule membrane were expressed on the surface of neutrophils membrane because of azurophilic granule fusion and plasma membrane which increased due to the stimuli given to neutrophil cells in which the signs can be measured with flow cytometry using the method modified by Bjornsson.11 The sample used was the result of gargling with 1.5% NaCl which its neutrophils had been isolated. The suspension of isolated neutrophil cells then was inserted into microtube filled by 500µl PBS. The cell suspension was then centrifuged at 2500rpm speed, for 5 minutes at 4° C temperature. The pellets obtained were subsequently stained with extracellular antibodies 50µl (Biolegend antihuman α-CD63Pe), and Biolegend α-PI Pe conjugated with antibody ratio: PBS is 1:200. Cells that have been added with antibody were then stored at 4° C temperature for 30 minutes. The suspension cells were then added with 1ml PBS and were centrifuged at 2500rpm speed, for 5 minutes at 4° C temperature. Biolegend Cytofix Cytoperm was then added to the pellets as much as 100µl and was homogenized until it well blended. The incubation was done subsequently at 4° C temperature without light for 20 minutes. After incubation, cells were then added with 1mL Biolegend Washperm once and subsequently were centrifuged at 2500 rpm speed, for 5 minutes at 4°C temperature. The obtained pellets were then coupled with intracellular antibodies, including BD antihuman α-CD64 PerCP conjugated, and then suspension cells were inserted into cuvette flow cytometer, and then added with PBS as much as 300µl, and mounted on nozzle BD FACS Calibur to do running with flow cytometer machine. The sample was then analyzed by flow cytometry (FACS Calibur flow cytometry, BD Bio Sciences, San Jose, CA). 91 Dental Journal (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) p-ISSN: 1978-3728; e-ISSN: 2442-9740. Accredited No. 56/DIKTI/Kep./2012. Open access under CC-BY-SA license. Available at http://e-journal.unair.ac.id/index.php/MKG 91Luthfi/Dent. J. (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) 2015 June; 48(2): 89–93 Neutrophil gate was identified by density and size with side angle light scatter and then continued with forward angle light scatter. This compensation was achieved by employing FITC and Pe labeled with individual antibodies. The result was shown as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). FACS Calibur of Becton Dickinson with Cell Quest software Program was used for the analysis. results The result of S. mutans number calculation from S- eCC group and caries-free group using colony counter and the result of activated salivary neutrophils (CD64+) analysis showed that CD63+ was expressed in eCC-free and S-eCC. The calculation result of the number of S. mutans saliva from Triptone Yeast Cystein Gelatin medium using colony counter tested by t 2 independent samples showed the significance value smaller than α. This means that there were significant differences in the S. mutans numbers between the two groups. Based on the mean value, it was known that the number of S. mutans in caries-free children (5.14 x105 ±1.86 x 105 CFU/ml) was significantly lower than in children with severe caries (9.78 x 105 ±2.23 x 105 CFU /ml) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The result of analysis using flow cytometry activated salivary neutrophils that express CD63+ after given comparative test using t 2, independent sample showed that the significant value was lower than α. This means that there was a significant difference in CD63+ expression between the two groups. Based on the mean value, it was confirmed that salivary neutrophils that expresses CD63+ in eCC-free was higher (2.67% ± 0.46) than in S-eCC (2.32% ± 0.57) (Table 2 and Figure 2). discussion eCC is a multifactorial disease that occurs as a result of a series of interactions between vulnerable hosts, cariogenic bacteria, cariogenic diet and behavior. Dental caries is not caused by exogenous bacteria, but is caused by the irregularities in ecology so that commensal oral bacteria become pathogenic after the disruption of the immune system and homeostasis of the body which later develop into dental caries. The important role in the homeostasis of the oral cavity and the prevention of dental caries depends on the content of immune component in saliva.12 S. mutans have integral role as the etiology regarding to the occurrence of eCC which is an infectious and contagious disease,13 so that S. mutans is considered an important predictor as cariogenic bacteria because it is acidogenic (able to produce acid) and aciduric (able to survive in acidic environment).14 In saliva, neutrophils are the most prominent first line of defense from the immune cells for defense against microbial pathogens. The importance of neutrophils in host immune system in patients with neutropenia or defect in neutrophils function leads to the tendency for serious infection to happen.15 Neutrophils recruitment process, transmigration, phagocytosis, and activation are highly coordinated to prevent or eliminate infection in human. In the infected area, neutrophils bind and engulf microbes through a process known as phagocytosis. Neutrophils recognize Table 1. The mean and standard deviation of the number of S. mutans in saliva calculated by colony counter in S-eCC and caries- free (105 CFU/ml) Groups N mean ± standard deviation 95% CI p Value Caries-free 20 95.13 ± 1.86 394.789,36–632.210,64 p < 0.0001 S-eCC 20 9.78 ± 2.22 834.661,22 –1.119.338,78 (p < α) Table 2. The mean and standard deviation of activated salivary neutrophils (CD64+) that express CD63+ in eCC-free and S-eCC (%) Groups N mean ± standard deviation 95% CI p Value Caries-free 20 2.67±0.46 2.37 – 2.96 p < 0.040 S-eCC 20 2.32±0.57 1.96 – 2.68 (p < α) 12 1,200,000.00 1,000,000.00 800,000.00 600,000.00 400,000.00 200,000.00 0.00 Free caries S-ECC Figure 1. The mean and standard deviation of S. mutans numbers on saliva calculated by colony counter in S-ECC and caries-free (CFU/ml). 513500 T he m ea n of S . m ut an s nu m be rs (C FU /m l) 977000 Figure 1. The mean and standard deviation of S. mutans numbers on saliva calculated by colony counter in S-eCC and caries-free (105 CFU/ml). 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 9.8 5.14 T he m ea n of S . m u ta n s nu m be rs ( 10 5 C F U /m l) Dental Journal (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) p-ISSN: 1978-3728; e-ISSN: 2442-9740. Accredited No. 56/DIKTI/Kep./2012. Open access under CC-BY-SA license. Available at http://e-journal.unair.ac.id/index.php/MKG 92 Luthfi/Dent. J. (Majalah Kedokteran Gigi) 2015 June; 48(2): 89–93 the bound-surface or free molecule secreted by bacteria, including peptidoglycan, lipoprotein, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), CpG containing DNA, and flagellin. This pathogenic molecule is known as pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMPs), interacts directly to a number of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) which is expressed on the surface of cells, including toll like receptors (TLRs).16 S. mutans as the main etiology agent of eCC because it has several mechanisms to colonize on the tooth surface and under particular condition to be cariogenic species which signifies the highest within the biofilm environment of oral cavity;17 thus, indicating the existence of causal link between dental caries and the high number of S. mutans. Several studies suggested that the development of dental caries is preceded by an increase in colonization of S. mutans,12 whereas the other researchers said that the increased level of S. mutans in saliva is an indication of the increased risk of dental caries.18,19 Phagocytosis is a process which is mediated by active receptor, the internalization of cell to the microbes and is subsequently followed by the rearrangement of cytoskeletal, the enlargement of neutrophil plasma membrane around the microbes and the formation of membrane-bound vacuoles called phagosome. In phagosome neutrophils release a variety of antimicrobial proteins and intracellular enzymes that function to kill microbes. Primary granules (azurophilic) contains many antimicrobial compounds, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), defensin like human neutrophil peptide 1-3 (HNP 1-3), lysozyme, azurocidin, and serine proteinase elastase, cathepsin G, proteinase 3, esterase N. Azurophilic granules are the one that associated with phagocytic vesicles which then release the content in phagosome which contains phagocytized microbes.20 Neutrophil proteins in the primary granules (azurophilic) are alarmins which is a molecule that can activate antigen precenting cells (APC) and stimulate innate dan adaptive immunity responses.21 Based on the results of this study (Table 1) of salivary neutrophils suggested that the expression level of CD63+ in S-eCC was lower than the expression level of CD63+ in caries-free children with the average value in S-eCC is lower (2.32% ± 0.57) than the expression level of CD63+ in caries-free children (2.67% ± 0.46). There is a chance of the low expression level of CD63 in salivary neutrophils in S-eCC is caused by S. mutans which have been internalized by neutrophils through a phagocytosis process that mediated through FcαR (CD89) or CR1 (CD35) may be able to develop three strategies of defense system to avoid intracellular killing, firstly, escaping out of phagosome, secondly, blocking the fusion of phagosome-lisosome, and thirdly, using a mechanism that allows survival in phagolysosomes. There is also a chance of the low expression level of CD63 in salivary neutrophils in S-eCC is caused by the deficiency of proteins elastase and cathepsin G.22 Less active neutrophils will release fewer neutrophil extracellular traps (NeTs) that work to kill extracellular microbes because it contains lactoferrin, cathepsin and enzymes which are highly toxic for microbes. 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