Toll‐like receptor‐1, ‐2, and ‐6 genotypes in relation to salivary human beta‐defensin‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and human neutrophilic peptide‐1

AIM: To examine whether functional gene polymorphisms of toll‐like receptor (TLR)1, TLR2, and TLR6 are related to the salivary concentrations of human beta‐defensins (hBDs)‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and human neutrophilic peptide (HNP)‐1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polymorphisms of TLR1 (rs5743618), TLR2 (rs5743708), and TLR6 (rs5743810) were genotyped by PCR‐based pyrosequencing from the salivary samples of 230 adults. Salivary hBD‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and HNP‐1 concentrations were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. General and periodontal health examinations, including panoramic radiography, were available for all participants. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies for wild types and variant types were as follows: 66.5% and 33.5% for TLR1, 95.5% and 4.5% for TLR2, and 25.1% and 74.9% for TLR6, respectively. The TLR2 heterozygote variant group exhibited higher salivary hBD‐2 concentrations than the TLR2 wild‐type group (p = .038). On the contrary, elevated hBD‐2 concentrations were detected in the TLR6 wild‐type group compared with the TLR6 heterozygote and homozygote variant group (p = .028). The associations between TLR6 genotypes and salivary hBD‐2 concentrations remained significant after adjusting them for periodontal status, age, and smoking. CONCLUSION: hBD‐2 concentrations in saliva are related to TLR2 and TLR6 polymorphisms, but only the TLR6 genotype seems to exhibit an independent association with the salivary hBD‐2 concentrations.