Subgingival microbiota and salivary proteome signatures associated with periodontitis Perfil da microbiota subgengival e proteoma salivar associados à periodontite

Aim: This study determined profiles related to periodontitis (P) and periodontal health (PH) based on the subgingival microbiota and salivary proteome. Material and Methods: Subgingival biofilm and stimulated whole saliva were obtained from 30 individuals with P and 10 with PH. Microbial evaluation was determined by the checkerboard method and salivary proteome analyzed by mass spectrometry using a LTQ Orbitrap Velos with a nanoelectrospray ion source. Differences in microbial and salivary parameters between groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test, whereas correlations were evaluated by Pearson coefficient. Cluster analysis was carried out to group individuals and determine disease-related profiles based on subgingival microorganisms and salivary proteins. Results: Most species were detected in higher levels in P than PH patients, but few differed significantly between groups. Increased counts of many microorganisms correlated strongly with low levels of salivary proteins. Clustering of patients using the composition of microbiota and salivary proteome resulted in one major periodontitis group characterized by low levels of Cutibacterium acnes, Enterococcus faecalis, Parvimonas micra, Lactobacillus spp., Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, increased age and levels of cystatin, hemopoxin, immunoglobulins, prolactin-inducible, acidic proline-rich phosphoprotein, small proline-rich protein 3 and submaxillary gland androgen-regulated proteins. Conclusion: High inter-individual variability and diversity of the periodontal microbiota combined to the salivary proteome was not able to discriminate all individuals in health and disease, but only one subset of periodontitis patients.