Introduction

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules, called human leukocyte antigens (HLA), have a pivotal role in immune response [1] [2] [3]. Pathogen-derived antigens are recognized by T-cells in the form of peptides that are bound to HLA molecules after antigen processing. HLA molecules vary extensively between individuals which may explain differences in inflammatory response towards microbial challenge [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]. However, the associations of HLA class I (HLA-A, -B and -C) and II antigens (HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP) with oral infectious diseases have not been studied extensively. Particularly, studies on possible HLA associations among generally healthy subjects are scarce.

Previously, associations have been documented between HLA antigens and periodontitis [8] [9] [10] [11]. A meta-analysis reported HLA class I types HLA-A9 and -B15 to indicate susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis, whereas HLA-A2 and -B5 were potential protective factors against aggressive periodontitis [12]. However, evidence on the associations of HLA types with dental caries is lacking. Contrasting results have been obtained on the associations of HLA class II antigens with salivary counts of cariogenic microbes, or with DMFT/S (decayed, missing or filled tooth/surface) score [11] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]. Among severely ill hemato-oncological patients prior to bone marrow transplantation we have observed an association of increased caries prevalence with the HLA types -A32, -B5, and -DR2, and a lower prevalence in HLA-B35 and -C4-positive individuals [10].

Hitherto, studies concerning the association of HLA types with oral diseases including caries and peridontitis have been based on a limited number of subjects or only on particular patient or population groups such as children or medically compromised sub-populations. Thus, these studies are not representative of generally healthy Caucasian adult populations. In addition, mucosal alteration, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and saliva have not been subjected to epidemiological analyses in a sufficient scale. An objective of this preliminary study was to investigate associations of class I HLA-A and -B and class II HLA–DRB1 types with a broad range of oral diseases including periodontitis, caries, TMD and mucosal alteration as well as saliva flow in a population of healthy Swiss adults. Furhermore, this study was aimed to be an exploratory study without HLA-type-specific hypothesis.

Subjects and Methods

Results

The subjects (107 m, 150 f, mean age: 43.5 yr; range: 21–58 yr) represented a generally healthy Swiss adult population with few self-reported medications (mean: 0.5, SD: 1.0, range: 0–10). 15% of the subjects were current, 27% former and 58% never smokers. Oral hygiene habits were generally good as 81% of the subjects reported brushing two or more times a day. However, relatively popular was also eating sweets and/or confectionary, as 42% reported consuming them more than 5 times a day and 51% 1–5 times/week (Detailed information of oral health related habits are shown in supportive information (Table S1)). The order of relative proportions of the most common HLA types (HLA-A01, -A02, -A03, -B07, -B35, -B44, -DRB1*01, -DRB1*04, -DRB1*07 and DRB1*13) was similar to a previous report in German-speaking Swiss population [24], suggesting our sample to be representative of this population. (For HLA frequencies, please see supportive information (Table S1); The original data available as supportive information (Table S2)).

DMFT

No statistically significant associations of HLA-A, -B or -DRB1 alleles with DMFT score were found. HLA-A1 positive subjects were observed to have a tendency towards lower DMFT (mean DMFT: 12.9±5.5) compared to HLA-A1 negative subjects (mean DMFT: 14.9±7.0; P = 0.03, P_Bonf = n.s.,) However, after Bonferroni correction, the effect was not statistically significant (Table 1).

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Table 1. DMFT, Stimulated whole saliva flow rates (SFR), TMJ symptoms and mucosal alterations of the subjects according to HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 types.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103527.t001

Periodontal status

Less clinical attachment loss (CAL) was observed among subjects with HLA-B15 (mean number of sites with CAL ≥6 mm: 0.2±0.6; P_Bonf<0.01) and HLA-DRB1*12 (mean number of sites with CAL ≥6 mm: 0.3±0.6; P_Bonf = 0.02) compared with the respective HLA type negative subjects (mean CAL ≥6 mm: 1.3±3.7; and 1.2±3.5, respectively). In addition, HLA-B40, -DRB1*01 and -DRB1*13 positive subjects had less clinical attachment loss of ≥4 mm and/or ≥6 mm compared with the respective HLA type negative subjects (Table 2). However, after the Bonferroni correction the differences were statistically not significant.

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Table 2. Number of sites with periodontal attachment loss (CAL ≥4 mm and ≥6 mm) and gingival indexes of the subjects according to HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 types.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103527.t002

HLA-B51 was associated with shallower probing pocket depths (PD). Subjects with HLA-B51 had fewer periodontal pockets of ≥6 mm (mean number of pockets: 0.2±0.6; P_Bonf = 0.02) compared with HLA-B51-negative subjects (mean: 1.1±3.3). In addition, HLA-B62 and -DRB1*13 positive subjects had fewer deep periodontal pockets (≥4 mm and/or ≥6 mm) compared with the respective HLA type negative subjects. However, after the Bonferroni correction the differences were statistically not significant.

There were no differences in the indexes of periodontal health (papillary bleading index, bleeding on probing) between the HLA types (Table 2).

Discussion

This prospective clinical study examined associations of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 types with oral diseases in a generally healthy Swiss adult population. The study focused particularly on the two most prevalent oral diseases, caries and peridontitis. In addition, temporomandibular dysfunctions, mucosal alterations as well as saliva flow rates were examined.

DMFT index was used to determine past and present need for cariological interventions. In previous studies, associations between HLA types and caries have been somewhat inconsistent. The earliest study observed HLA-DR4 to be associated with dental caries [8]. Later, HLA-DR4 has been shown to be associated also with early childhood caries [18]. A few studies have examined associations between HLA-DR4 and saliva levels of Streptococcus mutans with contrasting results [13] [14] [15] [17]. In our previous study, we observed a weak association between HLA-DR2 and an increased DMFT score among recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [10]. In addition, HLA class I antigens -A32, -B5 and -B35 were observed to be associated with altered DMFT [10]. In contrast, studies conducted among generally healthy African-American women (n = 186), young Japanese adults (n = 106) and a child population (n = 60) have failed to demonstrate associations of HLA class II antigens with DMFT/S score [11] [16] [17]. Our current results are in line with these later studies, since no statistically significant association of altered DMFT with any of the HLA-A, -B or -DRB1 types could be detected in the population of Caucasian adults. HLA-A1 may have a negative correlation with DMFT but this was, however, not confirmed after applying the Bonferroni correction. Altogether, caries is an example of a disease with multiple etiological factors including dietary and oral hygiene habits, mutans streptococci colonisation, strain virulence factors and oral saliva-associated defense mechanisms. Therefore, a strong association of any of the HLA types with caries would have been surprising.

Contrary to the etiology of caries, several host dependent but not acquired factors are considered to contribute to periodontal diseases. Studies have been conducted to identify HLA types that predispose patients to periodontal destruction, with varying results. A meta-analysis by Stein et al. found no associations between HLA types and chronic periodontitism [12]. However, in that study a positive association of HLA-B15 with aggressive periodontitis was observed. No aggressive periodontitis was seen in our study, but HLA-B15 positive subjects had less clinical attachment loss compared with HLA-B15 negative subjects. This partly controversial observation demonstrates better periodontal health of HLA-B15 positive subjects over a long period of time, as CAL measurement is not interfered by temporary and local irritation, hormonal factors or lack of dental treatment as readily as periodontal pocket depth measurements (PD). In the light of these studies, it seems that HLA-B15 positive subjects have a somewhat peculiar genetic response towards periodontal challenge, having mainly a high tolerance against microbes but being prone to aggressive forms of periodontitis. In the current study, also novel negative associations of HLA-B51 and -DRB1*12 with periodontal disease manifestations were observed. These observations warrant further studies. In addition, we can not exclude that the primary HLA association is with HLA-C alleles that are in preferential linkage disequilibrium with -B51, such as -C*14 and -C*15.

HLA types contribute to the development of rheumatic diseases and arthritis. For example, HLA-B27 is routinely used in diagnostics due to its close association with ankylosing spondylitis and spondyloarthropathy [25] [26]. Bacterial contamination has been suggested to be one possible mechanism for HLA contribution to temporomandibular dysfuction (TMD) [27]. Different bacteria including Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and other Mycoplasma species have been identified within temporomandibular joint synofial fluid and surrounding tissues [28] [29]. Two studies have been conducted to analyze the associations of HLA types with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). In patients with rheumatic diseases together with TMD and in patients with severe TMD several HLA-A, -B and -DR alleles have been found in increased frequency [27] [30]. In this study, subjective TMD symptoms, mouth opening and ‘clicking’ as a sign of TMD were recorded. Similarly to the previous studies, clicking in the temporomandibular joint was more prevalent in HLA-B14 positive subjects but this difference was not statistically significant. In addition, HLA-A32 positive subjects had clicking in the temporomandibular joint statistically significant more frequently than HLA-A32 negative subjects. No associations of HLA-A32 with TMD have been reported previously. However, due to the limited number of subjects with this symptom and respective ethical considerations, painless clicking was not further examined by radiological methods, but warrants further studies.

HLA molecules have also been associated with inflammatory diseases causing oral and gastrointestinal ulcers. HLA-B51 has been strongly associated with Bechet’s syndrome and recurrent oral ulcers [31] [32] [33]. In addition, HLA-DR8 has been associated with treatment resistant Crohn’s disease. In this study, any signs of oral mucosal lesions including ulcers, leukoplakia, lichen planus, absesses or other conditions were examined. However, no statistically significant associations of HLA-A, -B or -DR types with mucosal alterations could be detected.

In terms of subjects and scope, the current study is the most extensive that has been conducted in the field. In addition, the results can be considered representative of Swiss population, as the observed HLA frequencies resembled those previously reported in Swiss population [23]. However, the study has limitations due to both the diversity of HLA molecules in the investigated population and the confounding factors of the multicausal oral diseases. Thus, this study should be considered as a preliminary report on associations between HLA types and oral diseases, relying to clinical parameters globally recommended by the WHO and other international organisations for the screening of caries and periodontal diseases. However, when assessing the complex and delicate responses of host to infections, more sensitive measures might be useful. Consequently, this study warrants further analyzes of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid samples of the subjects to determinate the microbes and host immune responses in terms of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitory proteinases capable of predisposing to the common oral diseases. In addition, we aim to rescreen the subjects in 5 years using the present data as a basis for a longitudinal study design to define the disease progression affected by HLA type dependent host response.

In conclusion, the findings of this hitherto largest study are in line with most of the previous publications concerning caries and periodontitis, as HLA types had only limited associations with the prevalence of these diseases in a population of generally healthy adults. With regard to temporomandibular dysfunctions and mucosal lesions, the current study could not confirm the previously suggested associations of HLA types with the diseases. However, the present study found HLA types which may contribute to oral diseases among healthy adults. These include HLA-A1 in caries, HLA-B15, -B51 and -DRB1*12 in periodontitis and HLA-A32 in temporomandibular dysfunctions. The exact role and mechanisms of the HLA types in oral diseases still remain for exploration in future studies.

Supporting Information