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Biomaterials Group
Bioregulation Group
Bioregulation Group - Immunology & Inflamation
Bioregulation Group - Bone Physiology
Bioregulation Group - Collaboration
Bioregulation Group - Facilities
Bioregulation Group - Members & Research Interests
Bioregulation Group - Equipment
Cruzan Center for Dental Research
Nebraska Center for Cellular Signaling
Student Research





 

 
Understanding and manipulating immune responses, inflammation, and bone turnover will lead to more effective treatment of numerous conditions, including infectious diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases (arthritis and periodontitis), autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis and insulin-dependent diabetes), metabolic bone diseases (osteoporosis), malocclusions, abnormal craniofacial development and cancer. Secreted cytokines and cell surface receptors regulate the immune system, bone-turnover and tissue repair. It is, therefore, critical to identify these cytokines and their receptors, as well as their genes, promoter sequences, and associated transcription factors. Discovery of novel cytokines, synthetic analogues, or blocking agents that improve the course of the inflammatory, immune and bone responses will be more predictable using this information.

Human model protocols used by the Bioregulation Group (BRG) in these endeavors are of three main types:
  1. experimental bone turnover caused by controlled tooth movement
  2. chronic inflammation caused by natural accumulation of bacteria in the gingival crevice, or micro-wounding
  3. regulation of cytokine expression in cells of the immune system and bone microenvironment, including the impact of dramatic changes in the systemic endocrine systems, such as estrogen deficiency in menopause
Cytokine production and modulation are currently studied in vivo using harvested tissues and exudates from specific microenvironments, and in vitro using cell and bone cultures. Modulating factors being investigated include endotoxin and other bacterial products, tobacco products, estrogen, antibiotics, nonantibacterial tetracyclines, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Rodent model protocols used include:
  1. investigation of costimulatory factors and other mechanisms by which cytokine profiles are regulated
  2. effects of cytokines and growth factors (rodent and human) on in vivo bone growth and resorption
  3. characterization of signalling pathways for the expression of cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase in glial cells and spinal cord of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (animal model for multiple sclerosis)
  4. effects of topical drugs (e.g. simvastatin) and anti-inflamatory agents on bone growth in a bilateral rat mandible model.

Last modified: April 2, 2007 6:14 PM

 

    

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