The maintenance of an oral epithelial barrier

Publication date: Available online 16 April 2019Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): Sha-sha Wang, Ya-ling Tang, Xin Pang, Min Zheng, Ya-jie Tang, Xin-hua LiangAbstractOral epithelial barrier consists of closely controlled structure of the stratified squamous epithelium, which is the gateway to human bodies and encounters a huge burden of microbial, airborne and dietary antigens, as well as masticatory damage. Once this barrier is destroyed, it will trigger bone loss, tissue damage and microbial dysbiosis and lead to diseases, such as periodontitis, oral mucosal diseases and oral cancer. Recently, increasing evidences showed that different factors including microorganism, saliva, proteins and immune components have been considered to play a critical role in the disruption of oral epithelial barrier. Herein, we discussed mechanisms governing the maintenance of oral epithelial barrier. Besides, the role of oral epithelial barrier failure in oral carcinogenesis will also be talked about.Graphical abstractOral epithelial barrier is made up of keratinocytes and is maintained by intercellular junctions and cornified envelope. Keratins are crucial proteins that constitute both cytoskeleton and tight junctions, among which the defects of keratin 5 (k5) and k14 result in epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Keratins could also be dissolved by proteases produced by P. gingivalis, leading to gingival barrier failure, attachment loss and periodontal destruction in periodontitis. The cornified envel...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research