Monday, March 3, 1997
Genetic marker found on gum disease
RESEARCH:
Dentists hope discovery will assist in preventionBy Kathryn
Combs
Daily Bruin Contributor
Nationally, gum disease, formally known as periodontitis,
affects between half to three-quarters of Americans over the age of
35.
However, the recent discovery of a genetic marker for gum
disease by researchers with UCLA and Medical Science Systems may
help dentists target the treatment and prevention of this chronic
disease.
Dr. Michael Newman, adjunct professor of periodontics with the
UCLA School of Dentistry, is one of the primary researchers
involved in the study.
Working closely with Medical Science Systems of Newport Beach,
California, Newman and a group of researchers from around the
nation began searching for this genetic factor almost eight years
ago. With the conclusion of their work a year ago, the team found a
gene marker that, when present, clearly identifies individuals with
severe gum disease.
"This discovery … was the first time that a gene marker has
been discovered for a disease for which there are known excellent
treatment and preventive methods," Newman said.
The research team’s findings, published in the January issue of
the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, stated that the genetic
factor that increases an individual’s susceptibility to gum disease
is in two variations of the Interleuken gene cluster.
"We have determined that two polymorphisms in that cluster
appear to make you highly susceptible to periodontal disease," said
Dr. Kenneth Kornman, a chief scientific officer with Medical
Science Systems.
After noting the possible connection between the genetics and
the disease, the team paid more in-depth attention to the genetic
precursors, said Kornman, who is also a clinical professor at the
University of Texas, San Antonio.
Essentially, gum disease is caused by the build-up of dental
plaque on and around the teeth. This plaque, comprised of 95
percent bacteria, causes the area around the teeth and gums to
become inflamed.
If this plaque is left standing for an extended period of time,
it can lead to the eventual weakening of the bone around the necks
of the teeth and will result in periodontitis.
Newman estimated that up to 30 percent of the population carries
the genetic precursors  and with it an "exaggerated" response
to the plaque bacteria. The ability to identify the gene marker
will allow dentists to determine a more effective, aggressive
treatment for patients.
"This (discovery) allows the opportunity to identify individuals
at high risk for more severe gum disease before the actual
destruction occurs," Kornman said.
"If you’re that patient, it should allow you to both prevent the
destruction and be more confident of the approach to therapy that
is being taken. The key is that you can know that you need more
aggressive preventive care," he added.
This discovery will increase the role of periodontics in
maintaining the health of the whole individual., according to Dr.
Barrie Kenney, chair of Periodontics with the UCLA School of
Dentistry.
"The bottom line is that we’ve just opened the door in this, and
it is going to lead us into a much broader vision in patient
overall health as related to periodontal status," said Kenney, also
a professor of dentistry at UCLA.
For example, scientists are finding increased evidence that
periodontal disease and other diseases, such as diabetes, are
related. In addition to internal factors, the team also found that
there are outside factors that can affect the development of
periodontitis, researchers suggested.
"We (also) believe that there is an additive effect between
being susceptible and smoking," Newman said. "If you are
genetically susceptible and you smoke, you have two strikes against
you. But we have not studied that in great detail."
Currently, the test for this gene is in the field market test
phase in order to establish its effectiveness and consistency in
finding the marker. If all goes well, researchers say that the test
will be available for clinical use within a month.
"Now dentists all over the world can look into the future for
their patients and predict what is going to happen to them, what
they are susceptible to and therefore give them the most
appropriate, efficient and cost effective treatment before the
disease does its damage," Newman concluded.