Non-Invasive Immunological Monitoring Using Saliva in Dental and Oral Health Research
Keywords:
saliva, biomarkers, Oral health researchAbstract
Saliva plays vital roles in oral and systemic health and is emerging as a valuable tool in biomedical research. It contains bioactive components such as cytokines, enzymes, and immunoglobulins that reflect immune status, making it a promising non-invasive diagnostic fluid. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar Science Direct (2015–2025) with keywords related to saliva, immunological markers, and oral health. Studies included were original research on human subjects. Articles were screened following PRISMA guidelines. Salivary biomarkers such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A/F, IFN-γ, CRP, calprotectin, IP-10, MCP-1, NT-proBNP, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-8, and sTNFRII have been linked to oral cancer, periodontitis, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and viral infections. Studies showed that these markers reflect both local inflammation and systemic immune responses. Saliva captures immune activity through pathways like Th17, TNF, and JAK/STAT signaling. Its non-invasive nature, molecular stability, and compatibility with modern analysis techniques (e.g., transcriptomics and proteomics) make it ideal for monitoring disease progression and immune function. The presence of stable biomarkers like cytokines, acute-phase proteins, and cardiovascular indicators in saliva supports its diagnostic relevance.Saliva offers a practical, non-invasive approach to immunological monitoring. With proven biomarkers for various diseases, it holds strong potential for future diagnostic and research applications.
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