Association of MBL2 Gene Polymorphism with Dental Caries in Saudi Children

Genetic Association between the Risk of Dental Caries and MTR Gene Polymorphism in Chinese Children

Early childhood caries (ECC) is common in children. Little is known about the genetic association of the methionine synthesis reductase (MTRR) gene rs1801394 and methionine synthetase (MTR) gene rs1805087 polymorphisms with ECC, which was examined in the Chinese Han population. Genotyping was performed using the buccal mucosa from 150 normal and 150 ECC children. For genotype and allele distribution comparison, Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. The odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. MTR gene rs1805087 AG genotype distribution in the ECC group was clearly different from the control group (P = 0.029), and the ECC risk in cases with AG genotype was 0.525 times lower than those carrying AA genotype (95% CI = 0.292-0.942). Logistic regression analysis after adjustment for other clinical indicators determined that the MTR gene rs1805087 AG genotype was still strongly associated with susceptibility to ECC (OR = 0.499, 95% CI = 0.273-0.913, P = 0.024). Significant association was also seen for sugary food intakes (OR = 1.965, 95% CI = 1.162-3.321, P = 0.012), tooth brushing (OR = 0.569, 95% CI = 0.356-0.924, P = 0.023) and sex (OR = 0.562, 95% CI = 0.349-0.907, P = 0.018) with ECC risk. No notable genetic association was found between MTRR gene rs1801394 polymorphism and ECC risk. MTR gene rs1805087 polymorphism may aggrandize the susceptibility to ECC, and AA genotype appeared to be a dangerous element for the development of ECC.

Evaluation of Beta-Defensin 1 and Mannose-Binding Lectin 2 Polymorphisms in Children with Dental Caries Compared to Caries-Free Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and objective: Some variants in defensin beta 1 (DEFB1) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) genes can be associated with oral diseases. Herein, we designed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association of DEFB1 (rs11362, rs1799946, and rs1800972) and MBL2 (rs7096206 and rs1800450) polymorphisms with the susceptibility to dental caries (DC) in children. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases until 3 December 2022, without any restrictions. The odds ratio (OR), along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of the effect sizes, are reported. Analyses including a subgroup analysis, a sensitivity analysis, and funnel plot analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 416 records were identified among the databases, and nine articles were entered into the meta-analysis. A significant relationship was found between the T allele of DEFB1 rs11362 polymorphism and DC susceptibility, and the T allele was related to an elevated risk of DC in children (OR = 1.225; 95%CI: 1.022, 1.469; p = 0.028; I² = 0%). No other polymorphisms were associated with DC. All articles were of moderate quality. Egger's test in homozygous and dominant models demonstrated a significant publication bias for the association of DEFB1 rs1799946 polymorphism with DC risk. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the T allele of DEFB1 rs11362 polymorphism had an elevated risk for DC in children. However, there were only few studies that evaluated this association.

Two missense variants of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene are associated with non small cell lung carcinoma in the subjects from Iraq

BACKGROUND

Lung carcinoma is a foremost cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Variable genetic factors are associated with the development of lung cancer. This study was performed to evaluate the possible association of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene polymorphisms with non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in Iraqi population.

METHODS

DNA samples were extracted from 100 patients and 100 controls. Four PCR fragments were designed to amplify four high-frequency variants within EGFR, namely rs1050171, rs2072454, rs2227984, and rs2227983. The PCR fragments were genotyped by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method, and each genotype was subjected to direct sequencing.

RESULTS

Genotyping experiments confirmed the variability of three targeted variants, and logistic regression analysis showed that two of these variants (rs1050171 and rs2227983) tend to exhibit a significant association with NSCLC. Individuals with rs1050171:GA genotype showed a possible association with the increased risk of NSCLC (P = 0.0110; OD 5.2636; Cl_95% 1.4630 to 18.9371). Individuals with rs2227983:GG genotype exhibited a potential association with NSCLC (P = 0.0037; OD 5.2683; Cl_95% 1.7141 to 16.1919). Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the effects of the investigated variants seem to take independent actions, and no haplotype was found to be associated with the high prevalence of NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our collective data indicated that EGFR-rs1050171G/A and EGFR-rs2227983G/G SNPs tend to exert significant and separate associations with the increased risk of NSCLC. However, this study recommends using a broader spectrum of the investigated samples to get further details of both SNPs in terms of their association with the susceptibility to NSCLC.

Predominance of non-Streptococcus mutans bacteria in dental biofilm and its relation to caries progression

This study aims to assess differences in biofilm bacterial composition between patients with low and high caries. Patients without a medical problem and with no history of antibiotic use, mouth wash or fluoride application in the previous 3 months were recruited. Caries was recorded at cavitation level; score was calculated by a national mean (dmft of 4.8 and DMFT of 2.7). Pooled biofilm samples were collected from mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces. Based on caries experience, individuals were classified into low and high caries and both groups were compared regarding bacteria identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the isolates was performed. A total of twenty seven randomly selected samples with low (n = 13) and high (n = 14) caries. Identification of oral bacteria was performed using 16S rRNA sequence, Rothia mucilaginosa and R. aeria were identified in low caries individuals, while R. dentocariosa was detected in high caries individuals. Two Streptococcus spp. were identified only in low caries S. salivarius and S. gordonii whereas S. sanguinis, S. mitis, S. sinensis, S. rubneri, S. vestibularis, S. cristatus and S. massiliensis were identified only in individuals with high caries. This study revealed the absence of R. mucilaginosa in the high caries subjects and its coexistence with the low caries subjects. Streptococcus mutans was insignificant contributor of caries among samples, while, Streptococcus sanguinis was the main constituent of high caries Saudi patients.

Exome array identifies functional exonic biomarkers for pediatric dental caries

BACKGROUND

Pediatric dental caries is common among Arab children, however we are still searching for possible genes and molecular mechanisms that influence caries development.

AIM

To identity genetic predispositions of dental caries among Saudi children with high DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth).

DESIGN

This case-control study analysed putative functional exonic-variants (n = 243,345) to study the molecular genetics of pediatric caries with high dmft index, 8.75 ± 4.16 on Arab-ancestry subjects with primary dentition (n = 111; 76 cases, dmft>5 and 35 controls, dmft = 0).

RESULTS

Pediatric caries is significantly associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the GRIN2B-rs4764039C (p-value = 2.03 × 10^-08) and CFH-rs1065489G (p-value = 8.26 × 10^-08) genes, even after Bonferroni correction. Irregular tooth brushing habits (p = 0.0404) and irregular dental visits (p = 0.0050) are significantly associated with caries. Functional enrichment analysis of significant genes is associated with calcium-activated chloride channel, Staphylococcus aureus infection, and N-linked glycosylation.

CONCLUSION

Genetic predispositions are found to be significantly associated with the high prevalence of pediatric caries, which is a disorder of multigene-environment interaction. The significant functional exonic variants identified can be biomarkers for the early diagnosis of pediatric dental caries in Arabs.

Influence of the FCGR2A rs1801274 and FCGR3A rs396991 Polymorphisms on Response to Abatacept in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abatacept (ABA) is an immunosuppressant indicated for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Effectiveness might be influenced by clinical RA variants and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding protein FCGR2A (His131Arg) and FCGR3A (Phe158Val) involved in pharmacokinetics of ABA. An observational cohort study was conducted in 120 RA Caucasian patients treated with ABA for 6 and 12 months. Patients with the FCGR2A rs1801274-AA genotype (FCGR2A-p.131His) showed a better EULAR response (OR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.01-5.92) at 12 months and low disease activity (LDA) at 6 months (OR = 3.16; 95% CI = 1.19-8.66) and 12 months (OR = 6.62; 95% CI = 1.25-46.89) of treatment with ABA. A tendency was observed towards an association between the FCGR3A rs396991-A allele (FCGR3A-p.158Phe) and better therapeutic response to ABA after 12 months of treatment (p = 0.078). Moreover, we found a significant association between the low-affinity FCGR2A/FCGR3A haplotypes variable and LDA after 12 months of ABA treatment (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.01-2.58). The clinical variables associated with better response to ABA were lower age at starting ABA (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02-1.11) and greater duration of ABA treatment (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01-1.04), lower duration of previous biological therapies (OR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.98-0.99), non-administration of concomitant disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (OR = 24.53; 95% CI = 3.46-523.80), non-use of concomitant glucocorticoids (OR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.02-0.47), monotherapy (OR = 19.22; 95% CI = 2.05-343.00), lower initial patient's visual analogue scale (PVAS) value (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.92-0.97), and lower baseline ESR (OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.87-0.97). This study showed that high-affinity FCGR2A-p.131His variant, low-affinity FCGR3A-p.158Phe variant, and combined use of FCGR2A/FCGR3A genetic variations could affect ABA effectiveness. Further studies will be required to confirm these results.

Association of polymorphisms in genes involved in enamel formation, taste preference and immune response with early childhood caries in Saudi pre-school children

Dental caries is primarily elicited by modifiable factors such as inadequate oral hygiene, poor dietary practices and deficient fluoride exposure. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the profound influence of genetic factors in dental caries susceptibility. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ENAM (rs12640848), MMP20 (rs1784418), TAS2R38 (rs713598), and LTF (rs4547741) genes and early childhood caries (ECC) in Saudi preschool children. This case-control study enrolled 360 Saudi preschool children (262 with ECC and 98 caries-free). Data on environmental factors were collected through a questionnaire. However, caries experience and oral hygiene data were obtained during clinical examination. Buccal swab samples were collected for DNA extraction and SNPs were genotyped using PCR and DNA sequencing. Children with ECC were compared to caries free children (control), then they were categorized into two categories based on ECC severity as follows; non-severe ECC (NS-ECC), and severe-ECC (S-ECC). Association between the SNPs, ECC, NS-ECC, and S-ECC was reported as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The majority of the children (72.8%) exhibited ECC (31.7% NS-ECC and 41.1% S-ECC) with mean dmft of 4.20 ± 4.05. Multivariate analyses of environmental factors showed that nocturnal feeding was a risk factor for ECC (P = 0.008). Poor oral hygiene was also a risk factor for both NS-ECC and S-ECC (ECC: P < 0.0001, NS-ECC: P = 0.032 and S-ECC: P < 0.0001). Univariate analysis showed that the AG genotype of rs1784418 of MMP20 gene was protective against ECC (OR = 0.532; 95% CI = 0.316-0.897, P = 0.018) and against NS-ECC (OR = 0.436; 95% CI = 0.238-0.798, P = 0.007). When environmental risk factors for ECC were included as covariates during multivariate analysis, AG variant in rs1784418 of MMP20 gene remained less frequent in NS-ECC cases compared to controls with borderline significance (OR = 0.542; 95% CI = 0.285-1.033, P = 0.063). Our findings concluded that MMP20 rs1784418 SNP might be associated with protection against ECC in Saudi preschool children.

Prediction of Early Childhood Caries Based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Using Neural Networks

Background: Several genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with early childhood caries. However, they are highly age- and population-dependent and the majority of existing caries prediction models are based on environmental and behavioral factors only and are scarce in infants. Methods: We examined 6 novel and previously analyzed 22 SNPs in the cohort of 95 Polish children (48 caries, 47 caries-free) aged 2–3 years. All polymorphisms were genotyped from DNA extracted from oral epithelium samples. We used Fisher’s exact test, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and uni-/multi-variable logistic regression to test the association of SNPs with the disease, followed by the neural network (NN) analysis. Results: The logistic regression (LogReg) model showed 90% sensitivity and 96% specificity, overall accuracy of 93% (p < 0.0001), and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.970 (95% CI: 0.912–0.994; p < 0.0001). We found 90.9–98.4% and 73.6–87.2% prediction accuracy in the test and validation predictions, respectively. The strongest predictors were: AMELX_rs17878486 and TUFT1_rs2337360 (in both LogReg and NN), MMP16_rs1042937 (in NN) and ENAM_rs12640848 (in LogReg). Conclusions: Neural network prediction model might be a substantial tool for screening/early preventive treatment of patients at high risk of caries development in the early childhood. The knowledge of potential risk status could allow early targeted training in oral hygiene and modifications of eating habits.

Impact of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of CTLA-4, CD80 and CD86 on the Effectiveness of Abatacept in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abatacept (ABA) is used as a first-line treatment in patients diagnosed with moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The interindividual response to ABA therapy is very variable in these patients. The objective of our study was therefore to investigate the role of polymorphisms of the CTLA-4, CD80 and CD86 genes, as well as that of clinical factors of the disease, in the response to ABA in patients with RA. A retrospective cohort study was carried out in 109 patients receiving treatment with ABA and diagnosed with RA. The genetic variables were analyzed using real-time PCR with TaqMan^® probes. The patients were classified according to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria at 6 and 12 months from start of treatment. The independent variables associated with higher EULAR response were lower duration of previous biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and lower baseline values of the disease activity score 28 after 6 months of ABA treatment; and lower baseline patient’s visual analogue scale (PVAS) after 12 months. In addition, a significant association was found between duration of ABA treatment, non-administration of concomitant glucocorticoids and lower baseline values of the number of inflamed joints and erythrocyte sedimentation rate clinical variables, with remission of the disease after 6 months’ treatment with ABA. Finally, remission of the disease after 12 months’ treatment with ABA was associated with earlier age at start of ABA therapy and lower number of previous biologic therapies (BTs). The CTLA-4rs5742909-T allele and the CTLA-4rs231775-G allele were found to be associated with satisfactory EULAR response and low disease activity (LDA) after 12 months’ treatment with ABA (CTLA-4rs5742909 T vs. CC; OR = 5.88; CI_95% = 1.48–23.29 and OR = 4.75; CI_95% = 1.35–17.94, respectively, and CTLA-4rs231775 G vs. AA, OR = 3.48; CI_95% = 1.20–10.09 and OR = 4.68; CI_95% = 1.49–17.94, respectively). In conclusion, patients with RA treated with ABA showed better EULAR response and LDA rate when they had the CTLA-4 rs5742909-T or CTLA-4 rs231775-G polymorphisms; furthermore, this remission rate increased in patients that began ABA treatment earlier, those with a lower number of previous BTs and those with a lower PVAS value.

Genes and SNPs in the pathway of immune response and caries risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool the data on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune response genes associated with dental caries. Nineteen studies were included in the review and 18 in the meta-analysis. Twenty-two SNPs were evaluated, which are linked to six different genes (MBL2, LFT, MASP2, DEFB1, FCN2 and MUC5B). Most SNPs (81.8%) are related to the possible functional impact on protein coding. The MBL2 gene was associated with caries experience in the analysis of the homozygote (OR = 2.12 CI95%[1.12-3.99]) and heterozygote (OR = 2.22 CI95%[1.44-3.44]) genotypes. The MUC5B gene was associated according to an analysis of the heterozygous genotype (OR = 1.83 CI95%[1.08-3.09]). Thus, SNPs related to immune response genes are linked to the phenotype of caries experience. Although the meta-analysis showed that the genes MBL2 and MUC5B were associated with caries, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the quality of the evidence.

Analysis of major otosclerosis-associated variants in RELN and TGFB1 genes in Polish patients

Introduction

Otosclerosis (OTSC) is one of the most common causes of progressive adult-onset hearing loss in the Caucasian population, with a female preponderance. The etiology of OTSC is complex and there are a number of genetic variants reported to be associated with OTSC susceptibility, but no data on the genetic background of OTSC in patients originating from the central-eastern part of Europe have been available. The purpose of our study was to investigate in Polish patients the frequency of genetic variants previously reported to be most strongly associated with OTSC.

Material and methods

Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples or buccal swabs. Variants in TGFB1 (rs1800472) and RELN (rs39335, rs39350, rs39374) were genotyped in surgically confirmed OTSC patients (n = 94) and a control group (n = 198) using custom TaqMan SNP genotyping assays and real-time PCR. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between the groups in statistical analysis and the odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the risk.

Results

For all of the tested variants the distributions of alleles and genotypes were not statistically significantly different between OTCS patients and the control group. There were also no statistically significant differences in relation to gender of the tested subjects.

Conclusions

Despite multiple confirmatory studies on TGFB1 and RELN association with OTSC development in some populations, no significant association between the studied variants and OTSC was found in Polish patients. Our results indicate the presence of inter-population differences in OTSC susceptibility factors and confirm the large genetic heterogeneity of this disorder.

Lack of associations between lactoferrin (LTF) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility

Objective

With the development of human genomics, the genetic factors associated with dental caries have receiving increasing attention. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between lactoferrin (LTF) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dental caries susceptibility in Chinese children.

Methods

This prospective case–control study included 360 unrelated children (aged 12–15 years) who received oral health examinations and questionnaire surveys. The children were divided into two groups by counting the numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft): case group (n = 162, DMFT/dmft ≥ 1) and control group (n = 198, DMFT/dmft = 0); non-invasive saliva samples were collected to extract genomic DNA. Six SNPs (rs2073495C/G, rs1042073C/T, rs10865941C/T, and rs1126477A/G in LTF; rs7096206C/G and rs7095891G/A in MBL2) were tested by mass spectrometry.

Results

The study included 360 individuals with (85 boys and 77 girls) and without a history of caries (96 boys and 102 girls). There were no statistically significant differences in alleles and genotypes among the six SNPs between the two groups.

Conclusion

There is no evidence that polymorphisms of LTF and MBL2 genes are associated with dental caries susceptibility in populations from northwest China; further confirmation is needed with larger sample sizes.

Matrix metalloproteinases gene variants and dental caries in Czech children

Background

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in tooth formation and the mineralization of dental tissue. The aim of the study was to analyse Czech children with primary/permanent dentition polymorphisms in those genes encoding MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, MMP13, MMP16, and MMP20, which had been previously associated with dental caries in other populations.

Methods

In total, 782 Czech children were included in this case-control study. DNA samples were taken from 474 subjects with dental caries (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, DMFT ≥ 1) and 155 caries free children (DMFT = 0) aged 13–15 years, as well as 101 preschool children with early childhood caries (ECC, dmft ≥ 1) and 52 caries free children (dmft = 0), were analyzed for nine MMPs single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using real time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan assays.

Results

There were no significant differences in the allele and/or genotype frequencies of all the studied MMPs SNPs among children with dental caries in primary/permanent dentition and the healthy controls (P > 0.05). In addition, similar allele or genotype frequencies of the studied MMPs SNPs were found in children with severe dental caries in their permanent teeth (children with DMFT ≥ 6) and the healthy controls (DMFT = 0, P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the lack of association between the selected SNPs in candidate genes of MMPs and the susceptibility to or severity of dental caries in both primary and permanent dentitions in Czech children.

Dental caries: Genetic and protein interactions

OBJECTIVE

To present a genetic and protein interaction analysis associated with dental caries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The first step was to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) through an electronic database search. Case-controls that reported associations between genes and dental caries were the main type of study design used as inclusion criteria, retrieved from the PubMed and the Virtual Health Library databases, comprising the chronological range from 1982 to 2017. The SLR was guided by PRISMA protocol and the methodological quality of the studies was established through Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). In the second step, the String Protein Interaction (SPI) approach was used to analyze protein interaction (by esyN software) and also the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to check biological pathways associated with dental caries genes.

RESULTS

A total of 51 articles were included to perform this SLR, describing a number of 27 genes associated with dental caries development. At the genetic level, 23 genes have at least one other gene with which they interact. The genes TUFT1, VDR, TFIP11, LTF, HLA-DRB1, MMP2, MMP3 and MUC5B were shown to be connected in interactive networks by at least 10 other genes.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to apprehend the multifactorial pattern of inheritance in human disease. This study presents pathways which may be directly correlated with several dental caries phenotype and this contributes to a better understanding of this disease, opening up a wider range of biotechnology options for its effective control in the future.

Association of ENAM, TUFT1, MMP13, IL1B, IL10 and IL1RN gene polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility in Chinese children

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in six candidate genes (enamelin [ ENAM]; tuftelin 1 [ TUFT1]; matrix metallopeptidase 13 [ MMP13]; interleukin 1 beta [ IL1B]; interleukin 10 [ IL10]; interleukin 1 receptor antagonist [ IL1RN]) and dental caries in children from northwest China.

METHODS

This case-control study enrolled children (12-15 years) who underwent routine dental examinations. The children were divided into two groups based on the presence of dental caries. A saliva sample was collected and seven SNPs (rs3806804A/G in ENAM, rs3811411T/G in TUFT1, rs2252070A/G and rs597315A/T in MMP13, rs1143627C/T in IL1B, rs1800872A/C in IL10 and rs956730G/A in IL1RN) were genotyped.

RESULTS

A total of 357 children were enrolled in the study: 161 with dental caries and 196 without dental caries. No significant difference was found in the alleles and genotypes of five genes ( ENAM, TUFT1, MMP13, IL10 and IL1RN) between those with and without dental caries. A significant relationship was found between the IL1B rs1143627C/T polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility with those carrying the rs1143627CT genotype having a lower risk of dental caries compared with those carrying the CC genotype (odds ratio 0.557; 95% confidence interval 0.326, 0.952).

CONCLUSION

The IL1B rs1143627C/T polymorphism may be associated with dental caries susceptibility in children from northwest China.

Association of the Risk of Dental Caries and Polymorphism of MBL2 rs11003125 Gene in Iranian Adults

This case-control study aimed to investigate the effect of rs11003125 in dental caries. For this purpose, a total number of 404 individuals - from Fars Province in Iran - were studied. The technique of this research was the tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR. Dental caries prevalence among the 404 individuals was assessed by counting the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. In this research, individuals were divided into two groups: cases (n = 238) and controls (n = 166), and the peripheral blood samples were used to extract the genomic DNA. For genotyping of DNA, the tetra-primer ARMS-PCR method was conducted using specific primer pairs. While examining MBL2 rs11003125 polymorphism, we found significant differences in the genotype frequencies between the case and the control group. The pooled estimates indicated that the GG and GC genotypes of MBL2 rs11003125 polymorphism significantly increased, and therefore caries risk (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.31-4.40, p = 0.004) under the dominant model. These findings suggested that polymorphism in MBL2 gene was associated with dental caries in Iranian adults. Further verification is needed with more ethnic groups and larger sample sizes to determine whether rs11003125 polymorphism is related to dental caries in other regions or not.