The effects of immunoglobulins on the convective permeability of human dentine in vitro

Immunoglobulin molecules are localized in the dentinal tubules of non-carious and carious teeth, but their possible role in caries invasion is not understood. This study sought to examine the effects of immunoglobulin molecules on dentine permeability using a fluid-filtration method. Crown segments cut from impacted human third molars were treated by filtration with 100 micrograms/ml IgG, 100 micrograms/ml IgA or 30 micrograms/ml IgM under a constant pressure. Flow rates were recorded and percent changes in flow rate analysed over time. Filtrates collected at various times were tested for changes in immunoglobulin concentrations by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the percent retention of immunoglobulins to dentine was calculated. There was a decreasing non-linear exponential relation between the percent changes in flow rate and filtration time for all three immunoglobulins. The percentage of retained immunoglobulins was significantly related to the filtration time for all three classes of immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulin retention contributed to significant changes in flow rate with time. These in vitro results indicate the potential mechanism of immunoglobulins in decreasing tabular permeability.