Characterizing the immunological effects of oral healthcare ingredients using an in vitro reconstructed human epithelial model.

Oral healthcare products are well tolerated and while adverse occurrences are rare there is still a need to explore the interaction between these products and the oral mucosa. This study assessed the effects of oral healthcare ingredients: sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a detergent; cinnamic aldehyde (CA), a flavouring agent; and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), an antiseptic, using a reconstructed human oral mucosal model (OMM). Differential release of inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-8 and cytotoxicity was compared with other known irritants and sensitizers to identify a signature response profile that could be associated with oral mucosal irritation.

Delivery of macromolecules across oral mucosa from polymeric hydrogels is enhanced by electrophoresis (iontophoresis).

Objective: To develop polymeric hydrogel delivery systems for iontophorseis transfer of large molecules across buccal (porcine) mucosa.

Methods: Three hydrogels (PVA, HPMC and PVA/HPMC) were prepared as stable gels (7 mm diameter/1.5 mm thick).

Electrically induced transport of macromolecules through oral buccal mucosa.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of iontophoretic delivery of large molecules across buccal mucosa, and to establish its potential for enhanced drug delivery.

Methods: Qualitative (6h) and quantitative (8 and 36 h) assessment of porcine buccal mucosa, using a diffusion cell in vitro model, was carried out by fluorescent microscopy and UV/Vis spectroscopy respectively, with four fluorescently-labeled model species (3 and 10 kDa dextrans, 12 kDa parvalbumin and 66 kDa bovine serum albumin, BSA). Passive and iontophoresis parameters were obtained.

Lytic Epstein-Barr virus infection in epithelial cells but not in B-lymphocytes is dependent on Blimp1.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replicates in superficial differentiated cells of oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL). Differentiation of squamous epithelial cells depends on B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp1). Here we show that expression of the EBV immediate-early protein BZLF1 is restricted to Blimp1-positive epithelial cells in OHL.

Candida albicans strain-dependent modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine release by in vitro oral and vaginal mucosal models.

Candida albicans is a commensal organism at several sites and is a versatile, opportunistic pathogen. The underlying factors of pathogen and host associated with commensalism and pathogenicity in C. albicans are complex and their importance is largely unknown.