The miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism may be associated with susceptibility to early childhood caries in Han Chinese children.

Abstract

The genetic basis of susceptibility to early childhood caries (ECC) requires further research. To examine the possible association between the miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism and susceptibility to ECC. This case-control study recruited 200 children with ECC and 200 non-ECC children. Genotyping of the rs11614913 polymorphism was performed by the TaqMan method, and the levels of miR-196a2 in saliva were quantified by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Logistic regression models were employed to analyse risk factors associated with ECC. Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between miR-196a2 and the caries severity index. T allele and TT genotype were associated with a substantially increased risk of ECC (odds ratio (OR) = 1.697, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.277-2.255; OR = 1.588, 95% CI = 1.050-2.402). miR-196a2 expression was elevated in children with ECC and demonstrated excellent diagnostic value (AUC = 0.8783). Furthermore, miR-196a2 was positively correlated with the severity of ECC. Within the ECC group, carriers of the TT genotype exhibited the highest levels of miR-196a2 expression and more severe caries. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that miR-196a2 expression was an independent risk factor (OR = 5.700, 95% CI = 3.645-8.911, P < 0.001). The miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism may be associated with susceptibility to ECC in Han Chinese children.