Saliva can provide important information about the state of the immune system

A new study by scientists at King’s College London, in collaboration with the Voluntary Health Services in India and Griffiths University in Australia, has shown that saliva has a different and richer composition of immune cells than blood.

The study, published in the Journal of Cellular Immunology, found that saliva contains more than 10 types of immune cells, including those that fight viruses and regulate inflammation. Some cells were found in saliva at higher levels than in blood, suggesting that they may play a special role in protecting mucous membranes such as the mouth, lungs and intestines.

The flow cytometry method used in the study gave stable results even in samples taken weeks later. This could allow for long-term and non-invasive monitoring of the immune system in a variety of conditions, including COVID-19, allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Scientists say that such saliva-based tests could lead to more accessible and painless monitoring of diseases in the future.

Powered by Froala Editor